Landscaping Rules in Albany, NY (2026)
3 verified landscaping rules for Albany, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Albany requires grass, weeds, and rank vegetation on residential property to be cut to no more than 10 inches in height. Vacant lots and yards exceeding the limit trigger written notice from Code Enforcement; uncorrected violations result in the city mowing the property and billing the owner. Tall grass is also a tax-lien-able nuisance under Chapter 313.
Albany Grass Height Limit (10 Inches)
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Albany City Code Chapter 345 vests jurisdiction over every street tree, park tree, and tree in the public right-of-way in the Department of General Services Forestry Division. It is unlawful for anyone other than DGS to cut, trim, prune, plant, remove, or attach anything to a public tree without a Tree Work Permit. The narrow homeowner exception covers only hand-pruning of branches ≤3 inches in diameter, no more than 8 feet above the surface, and without power tools or a ladder. Topping (large-stub cuts) is prohibited outright. Violations carry up to $500 and 15 days in jail.
Albany Tree Work Permit — Chapter 345 (Street & Park Trees)
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Albany enforces tall-grass and weed complaints under City Code §313-51.1, which requires all properties to be maintained free of heavy overgrowth and accumulation of weeds, and under the New York State Property Maintenance Code, Section 302.4, which sets the substantive ceiling: "All developed areas of a premises that are intended to be used by building occupants or the public shall be maintained free from weeds in excess of 10 inches (254 mm). Noxious weeds shall be prohibited." Enforcement is handled by the Department of General Services (DGS), which can issue a notice to remedy or — in many cases — abate the overgrowth directly and bill the property owner.
Albany Weed & Tall-Grass Rules (City Code §313-51.1 + PMCNYS §302.4)
Some RestrictionsAlbany Code § 313-51.1 — Property Maintenance
All properties must be maintained free of heavy overgrowth and or accumulation of weeds. The Department of General Services will take action if private properties show excessive overgrowth. Property owners may receive notification to remedy violations, but if the issue persists after the allotted time, the city will clean the property and bill the owner.
Looking for Albany County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albany city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Albany County →