How Yonkers Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Yonkers maintains 128 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Yonkers falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Composting

Yonkers Code § 92-4(E) makes clear that its mandatory recycling law does not stop residents from composting garden and yard waste on their own property. No permit, registration or bin standard applies; composting is exempt from the source-separation and curbside set-out duties that otherwise govern yard waste under Chapter 92.

Key details: Legal status: Permitted by right, no City permit needed. Governing exemption: City Code § 92-4(E) and § 92-6(E). Scope: Garden and yard waste on generator's own property. Bin standards: None set by City Code. Alternative: Non-composted yard waste collected Wednesdays.

There is no violation or penalty specific to composting itself: § 92-4(E) and § 92-6(E) exempt private composting from Chapter 92 entirely. Chapter 92's penalties in § 92-12, a written warning or Class III offense for a first violation and Class III for repeat violations within three years, apply only to the source-separation and set-out duties that composting is exempt from.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Yonkers gives residents more flexibility on composting.

Tree Trimming

Property owners whose trees overhang a Yonkers street or sidewalk must keep the branches trimmed to a minimum 15 feet above the roadbed and 9 feet above the sidewalk. City Code § 80-18 lets the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation order the trimming done at the owner's expense if ignored after written notice.

Key details: Roadbed clearance: 15 feet minimum. Sidewalk clearance: 9 feet minimum. Notice before City acts: 1 week after written notice. Who pays: Owner or occupant billed for City trimming. Enforcing office: Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation.

Failure to trim after the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation's written notice and one-week grace period lets the City perform the trimming directly and bill the property owner or occupant for the full cost. The section reviewed does not set a separate fine beyond recovering that trimming cost from the responsible owner or occupant.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Cutting, removing, or even climbing a tree in any Yonkers public highway or public place is unlawful without a written permit from the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Permit applications are referred to the city's Shade Tree Commission for approval.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 80-10. Permit issuer: Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation. Review body: Shade Tree Commission. Field inspector: City Arborist. Permit duration: 30 days.

Cutting, removing, or injuring a public tree without a § 80-10 permit is unlawful and punishable under § 80-23, enforced by the Commissioner of Parks, Recreation and Conservation together with the City Arborist.

Compared to other cities, Yonkers takes a harder line on tree removal & heritage trees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Weed Ordinances

Yonkers City Code § 69-1 bars property owners from letting noxious weeds, long grass or rank growths stand. After a written notice from the Commissioner of Public Works and five days' default, the city cuts the growth and bills the owner.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 69-1, Ch. 69. Enforcer: Commissioner of Public Works / DPW. Cure period: 5 days after mailed notice. Unpaid abatement cost: Lien collected as a tax. Numeric height limit: None specified.

Ignoring the Commissioner of Public Works' mailed notice for five days is a violation under § 69-2. DPW then cuts the growth, assesses the cost against the property, and an unpaid charge becomes a tax lien.

The Bottom Line

Yonkers's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Yonkers is broadly strict or permissive.

These rules come from Yonkers's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.