Landscaping Rules in Ames, IA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Ames, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Ames treats low-hanging vegetation over public streets and sidewalks as a public nuisance, not merely a courtesy. Ames Municipal Code Sec. 30.5(9) requires 16 feet of clearance above a public street and 8 feet above a public sidewalk for branches on private property, and the City can order the owner to trim or face nuisance abatement and municipal infraction penalties under Chapter 30.
Ames Street Tree Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 30.5(9)
(9) Vegetation located on private property hanging over public streets with less than 16 feet of clearance above the public street or vegetation located on private property that hangs over or into public sidewalks with less than 8 feet of clearance above the sidewalk. Sidewalks adjacent to public streets that are subject to funding or contract obligations may require additional clearance.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Ames, Iowa, only the City Manager or a designee may remove a street tree, and any private cutting or removal of a street tree requires City Manager permission under Ames Municipal Code Sec. 27.4, with a 15-day notice-and-objection process for removals beyond dead or infested trees. Violating Chapter 27 is a municipal infraction with a $500 first-offense penalty.
Street Tree Removal Rules in Ames
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 27.3; Sec. 27.4
Sec. 27.3. REMOVAL OF STREET TREES (1) Street trees which are dead or which for some other reason constitute a clear and present danger to the public safety may be removed at the direction of the City Manager or designee at any time without notice. ... (3) To remove a street tree for any reason other than as stated above the City Manager shall cause a notice of intention to do so to be posted o...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Ames, Iowa, Municipal Code Sec. 30.5(11) declares turf grass over 12 inches tall a public nuisance on any property in the city. The City Manager's designee can cite a municipal infraction or order administrative abatement, and fines climb from $50 for a first violation to $100 for each repeat under Sec. 30.3.
Ames Turf Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 30.5(11)
The City Manager or Manager’s designee is authorized to abate nuisances either by issuance of a municipal infraction punishable by a penalty of $50 for a person’s first violation thereof, and a penalty of $100 for each repeat violation and/or by administrative abatement procedures set forth in this article, or a combination thereof. ... Turf Grasses. Narrow-leaved grass species that form a unif...
Water Restrictions
In the City of Ames, Iowa, outdoor irrigation is unrestricted until the City Council declares a water shortage emergency by resolution. Once a stage is declared, Sec. 28.603 through Sec. 28.605 of the Ames Municipal Code impose mandatory odd/even or every-five-days watering schedules, hour restrictions and higher rationing rates on every Ames Water Utility customer.
Water Rationing Watering Days in Ames, IA
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 28.601, 28.603, 28.604
During such emergency, the City Council shall establish, by resolution, one or more of the water rationing stages described in Sections 28.602 through 28.605. ... Sec. 28.603. STAGE I: ... MINOR MANDATORY CONSERVATION. ... The outdoor vegetation at each water customer service location shall not be irrigated with potable processed water except such watering may occur on even numbered days of the...
Native Plants
Ames regulates lawn upkeep through its public nuisance code, not a blanket ban on native plants. Chapter 30 defines Turf Grasses narrowly as mowed lawn species and caps only turf grasses over 12 inches (Sec. 30.5(11)); it also exempts City-approved native vegetation preservation areas from the right-of-way vegetation limit (Sec. 30.5(8)), letting Ames homeowners keep prairie and pollinator plantings.
Native Plant Landscaping Rules in Ames
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 30.4; Sec. 30.5(8), (11)
Turf Grasses. Narrow-leaved grass species that form a uniform, long-lived ground cover that can tolerate traffic and mowing heights of two inches or below. ... (8) Vegetation located in the City right-of-way exceeding 12 inches in height within one foot of the traveled portion of the street. Streets designated as no parking may have vegetation exceeding 12 inches in height within one foot of ...
Composting
In the City of Ames, Iowa, home compost piles may include yard waste, kitchen scraps such as fruit and vegetable trimmings and eggshells, shredded newspaper, and up to one cup of wood ash per bushel of compost under Ames Municipal Code Sec. 10.26. Human or animal feces, diseased plant material, weeds that have gone to seed, and meat, bones or fat are barred from the pile, and all composting must meet Chapter 105 of the Iowa Administrative Code.
Ames Residential Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsAmes Municipal Code Sec. 10.26
(1) Notwithstanding any other Sections in this Chapter, the following materials may be included in composting piles: (a) Yard waste including leaves, grass clippings, straw and hay, sawdust, and finely chopped or shredded tree and shrub prunings; (b) Kitchen scraps including fruit and vegetable trimmings (including rhubarb leaves), coffee grounds, and eggshells; (c) Shredded newspapers;...
Looking for Story County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ames city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Story County →