Landscaping Rules in Amherst, NY (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Amherst, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Amherst Town Code puts the pruning duty on the property owner: any tree overhanging a street or right-of-way must be trimmed so branches don't block the view at an intersection and so at least eight feet of clearance is kept above the street or sidewalk surface. The Town can also order removal of hazardous limbs.
Amherst Tree Clearance Over Streets
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 179-7
Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the Town shall prune the branches of said tree so that such branches shall not 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. Said owners, upon notice by the Town, shall remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees or broken or d...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Amherst requires a tree removal permit from the Commissioner of Building before anyone cuts down, kills or destroys a privately owned tree over 4 inches in caliper, measured 6 inches above grade. Street and park trees need the Highway Superintendent's permission instead, and removal in a regulated wetland needs sign-off from NYSDEC, USEPA or the Army Corps first.
Amherst Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 179-11(A)
Subject to the exceptions of Subsection B of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person or to facilitate or engage another person or entity to cut down, kill or otherwise destroy any tree having a caliper greater than four (4) inches, measured six (6) inches above grade, growing on privately owned land within the Town, without a tree removal permit issued by the Commissioner of Building.
Weed Ordinances
Amherst's property maintenance code caps weeds and plant growth on exterior property at 10 inches (254 mm) under § 151-60D and bans noxious weeds outright, while cultivated flowers and gardens are excluded from the definition of "weeds" entirely. Farmland and several categories of undeveloped or protected land are exempt from the height cap.
Amherst Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 151-60D
Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches [254 millimeters (mm)]. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. "Weeds" shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs; provided, however, that this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
Composting
Amherst allows residential composting only as an accessory use, capping each property at three enclosed bins of one cubic yard or less, five feet tall, kept three feet from side and rear lot lines and twenty feet from a neighbor's home, patio or pool. Only listed organic materials qualify.
Amherst Limits Backyard Compost Bins to Three
Some RestrictionsAmherst Code § 169-33(A)(1), (4)
All compost material shall be enclosed in a freestanding compost bin constructed of plastic, metal or other material acceptable to the Commissioner of Building. For residential property larger than one acre in area, yard waste may also be composted in an unenclosed manner. A compost bin shall be no larger in volume than one cubic yard. No more than three (3) compost bins shall be allowed for ea...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Amherst city rules.
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