Landscaping Rules in Apex, NC (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Apex, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
The Town of Apex regulates uncontrolled weeds, grass and noxious growth as a public nuisance under Chapter 14 of the Code of Ordinances (Offenses and Miscellaneous Provisions). Property owners must cut weeds, grass or other noxious growth from the lot at least twice each year — first not later than June 15 and second not later than August 15. Each day the growth remains uncut after those deadlines constitutes a separate offense.
Apex Weeds & Grass — Mow by June 15 and August 15 (Code Ch. 14)
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Apex does not require a permit for routine pruning of trees on private residential property. Trees within the public right-of-way, town parks, and town-owned land are maintained by Town Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources. The Town is a designated Tree City USA community and operates a Tree Citizen Advisory Panel (TreeCAP) that advises the Town Council on tree programs, management, and regulations.
Apex Tree Trimming — Private Pruning Unregulated; ROW Trees by Town
Few RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Apex does not regulate removal of trees on private single-family lots that are not within a Resource Conservation Area, required landscape area, or buffer yard. Removal of trees on development sites, in RCAs, in required landscape material, or designated for retention requires Town review under Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 8. NCGS 160D-921 preempts local tree-removal ordinances on present-use-value forestland and forester-managed forests, narrowing town authority over routine private-lot removals.
Apex Tree Removal — UDO Article 8 Resource Conservation Triggers Review
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Apex Code Chapter 14 makes it unlawful to allow the uncontrolled growth of noxious weeds and grass, the accumulation of offensive animal or vegetable matter dangerous and prejudicial to public health, or any other condition constituting a public nuisance on premises within town limits. Apex does not maintain a separate prohibited-species list; enforcement is by Code Enforcement under the nuisance framework with cost-of-abatement liens.
Apex Noxious Weeds & Vegetation Nuisance (Code Ch. 14)
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Apex enforces year-round irrigation restrictions on its water system, sourced from Jordan Lake through the jointly owned Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility (CAWTF) serving Apex, Cary, Morrisville, Wake County RTP, and RDU Airport. Lawn irrigation is allowed three days a week on an alternate-day schedule (odd addresses Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday; even Wednesday/Friday/Sunday). Mondays are no-irrigation days. Hand-held hose watering is allowed every day. Violations carry written notice for the first offense and up to $1,000 per day for subsequent violations.
Apex Year-Round Irrigation Schedule (3 Days / Week, No Mondays)
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Apex. North Carolina state law prohibits local governments from banning cisterns and rain barrels used for irrigation: NCGS 160A-202 provides that no city ordinance may prohibit, or have the effect of prohibiting, the installation and maintenance of cisterns and rain barrel collection systems used for irrigation purposes. NC Session Law 2009-243 amended the state plumbing code to allow cistern water for indoor toilet flushing and outdoor irrigation. Permits are required only for construction of non-potable water systems and plumbed connections.
Apex Rainwater Harvesting — Protected by NCGS 143-355.5 / 160A-202
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Apex does not mandate native plants in private landscapes but actively promotes them. The Town's Plant the Peak program installs native trees on residential single-family properties at no cost to the owner and has installed over 500 native trees since 2021. The Apex Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 8 landscape and buffer requirements use approved plant lists that favor regionally adapted and native species suitable to North Carolina's Piedmont climate.
Apex Native Plant Encouragement — Plant the Peak Uses NC Natives
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Apex does not have a code provision specifically prohibiting or permitting artificial turf in residential or commercial landscapes. Where landscape material is required under Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) Article 8 — Section 8.2 (Landscaping, Buffering, and Screening), the standards generally require living plant material, so artificial turf typically cannot substitute for required landscape area, buffer yard plantings, or vehicle use area landscaping. On private single-family residential property outside required-landscape contexts, artificial turf is permitted subject to stormwater and impervious-surface rules.
Apex Artificial Turf — Not Specifically Regulated; UDO Landscape Rules Apply
Few RestrictionsLooking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Apex city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Wake County →