Landscaping Rules in Annapolis, MD (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Annapolis, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Annapolis requires trees near public streets and sidewalks to be pruned for a 10-foot clearance over sidewalks and 12 feet over streets, rising to 15 feet on truck routes, enforced by the Department of Planning and Zoning.
Annapolis Tree Clearance Over Streets
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 14.12.150(B)
All large, established trees shall be pruned to sufficient height to allow free passage for pedestrian and vehicular traffic, which shall be ten feet over a sidewalk and twelve feet over a street, except a street subject to truck traffic which, at the discretion of the department may have clearance of fifteen feet. The department may waive the provisions of this section for a newly planted tree...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Annapolis requires developers who remove trees to replant them on a size-based ratio table, or pay a fee-in-lieu of $1,250 per tree outside the Critical Area when on-site planting isn't practical.
Annapolis Tree Replacement and Mitigation Fee
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 17.09.070(C)
Where, pursuant to subsection A of this section, replacement on site is not practical and an off-site location cannot be determined and agreed upon by the developer and the Department of Planning and Zoning, a fee-in-lieu as set by resolution of the City Council may be assessed which is adequate to ensure an equivalent tree replacement as required by subsection A of this section.
Weed Ordinances
Annapolis caps grass, weeds, and other rank vegetation at one foot on any lot within the city, with exceptions for agricultural land, natural wooded areas, and parcels over three acres left in a natural state.
Annapolis Grass and Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 10.20.010
Except in the case of bona fide agricultural property, natural wooded areas, unimproved areas of more than three acres, public parks and recreational property being specifically maintained as natural areas, private open space areas covenanted with the City as recreational areas to be maintained in their natural state, and areas where vegetation is deemed necessary for soil stabilization and ero...
Water Restrictions
Once the Mayor declares a water emergency, lawn and garden watering in Annapolis is limited to even/odd days matching your street's address number, and an extreme emergency bans it outright.
Annapolis Water Emergency Rules
Some RestrictionsAnnapolis City Code § 16.12.020
...the use and withdrawal of water from the City water system for the following purposes is prohibited during the period of the emergency: A. The sprinkling, watering or irrigation of shrubbery, trees, grass, ground covers, plants, flowers or any other vegetation; except, that on even-numbered days ... these uses may be made upon properties bearing an even-numbered street designation, and upon ...
Looking for Anne Arundel County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Annapolis city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Anne Arundel County →