Landscaping Rules in Albany, NY (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Albany, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Albany requires an 8-foot clearance above streets and sidewalks for overhanging tree branches, and the City prunes to keep streetlights and traffic sign visibility unobstructed.
Albany Tree Clearance Over Streets & Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 345-9
The City shall prune the branches of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the City so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the street or sidewalk. The City shall remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees, or broken or de...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Albany, only the Department of General Services or a permit holder may cut, prune, plant, move, or remove any tree in a public street or park. A tree and vegetation permit must be obtained first, and violations trigger stop-work orders, fines, and per-inch restitution.
Albany Requires a Permit to Touch Any Street or Park Tree
Significant RestrictionsCode of the City of Albany § 345-5(A) (Trees and Vegetation)
It shall be unlawful and it is hereby prohibited for any person other than the Commissioner of the Department of General Services, Assistant Commissioner or his duly authorized agent to cut, trim, prune, spray, brace, plant, move, remove or replace any tree in any public street or public park within the City, or to cause the same to be done, unless and until a tree and vegetation permit has fir...
Weed 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.
Rainwater Harvesting
Albany's zoning ordinance gives rain gardens and rain barrels a setback exception no other accessory feature gets: Table 375.401.4 lets them encroach into the front, side, and rear yard setback on any lot in the city.
Albany Rain Barrel and Rain Garden Setback Rules
Few RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-401(6), Table 375.401.4
Encroachments and exceptions. The encroachments into required setbacks and exceptions to height limits shown in Table 375.401.4 are permitted. Table 375.401.4 Exceptions and Encroachments: ... Accessory clotheslines, play equipment, and rainwater harvesting barrels — Front No / Side Yes / Rear Yes. Accessory rain garden or rain barrel — Front Yes / Side Yes / Rear Yes.
Composting
Albany requires household food composting to be kept in weather-tight, rodent-proof containers holding only organic and inorganic household waste: meat and meat by-products are barred from the bin under the city's zoning ordinance.
Albany Residential Composting Bin Rules
Some RestrictionsAlbany City Code § 375-303(6)(d)
All compost containing food waste must be stored in weather-tight and rodent-proof containers. Materials placed in composting containers may contain only organic and inorganic nonhazardous household waste, and may not contain meat and meat by-products.
Looking for Albany County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Albany city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Albany County →