Landscaping Rules in Apex, NC (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Apex, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Apex requires a Tree Removal and/or Pond Drainage Permit from the Planning Department before cutting trees to facilitate development, under UDO Sec. 2.3.15.
Apex NC Tree Removal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsApex Unified Development Ordinance § 2.3.15
No person shall engage in tree removal and/or pond drainage activities unless such person has applied for and has been issued a Tree Removal and/or Pond Drainage Permit, and all other applicable federal, state, and local permits have been issued. The Tree Removal and/or Pond Drainage Permit is issued by the Town of Apex Planning Department and authorizes tree removal and/or pond drainage activi...
Weed Ordinances
Turfgrass, weeds, vines, or briars over eight inches anywhere in Apex are a declared public nuisance, and vacant lots must be mowed to four inches three times a year by set May, July, and September deadlines.
Apex, NC Grass Height Limit: 8 Inches Max
Some RestrictionsApex Town Code § 10-5
Further, where weeds, vines, briars, or turfgrass (narrow-leaved grass species tolerant to low mowing heights including but not limited to fescue, Bermuda, zoysia, and centipede) are over eight inches in height, such conditions are hereby declared to be unlawful and a public nuisance. Under such circumstances, a public necessity exists to exercise the police power of the town to cause the abate...
Water Restrictions
Apex requires odd-numbered addresses to water lawns Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, and even-numbered addresses Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, every week, year-round: no shortage declaration needed. Monday watering is banned outright; hand-watering is allowed any day.
Apex Mandates Year-Round Odd/Even Watering
Some RestrictionsApex Town Code § 12-101
(1)Mandatory year-round odd/even watering schedule. Properties with odd-numbered addresses may water lawns and/or landscapes only on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Properties with even numbered addresses may water lawns and/or landscapes only on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. No lawns and/or landscapes shall be watered on Monday. Hand-watering is permitted every day. Exemption: Property owners...
Native Plants
Apex's Unified Development Ordinance requires all new landscaping on developed sites to be native or adaptive plant species reflecting the surrounding environment, with a stricter native-plant standard on Town-owned property.
Apex UDO Requires Native or Adaptive Landscaping
Some RestrictionsApex Unified Development Ordinance § 8.2.2
Use of Native or Adaptive Plant Materials In order to further water conservation and to ensure growth and survival of new plantings, all new landscaping installed pursuant to this chapter shall be comprised entirely of native or adaptive plants that reflect the surrounding plant materials and environment. See the Town of Apex Development and Design Manual for a list of approved native or adapti...
Artificial Turf
Apex's Unified Development Ordinance allows artificial turf as a grass substitute only where the Planning Director finds natural vegetation impractical, and bans it in landscape buffers, floodplains, and new street rights-of-way.
Apex, NC Artificial Turf Landscaping Rules
Some RestrictionsApex Unified Development Ordinance § 8.2.2.B.3.h
As an alternative to grass, artificial turf meeting the requirements of N.C.G.S. §143-214.7D may be permitted as pervious where its use enhances site durability, minimizes erosion, or addresses maintenance constraints, provided it is installed to ensure adequate drainage and long-term performance. Artificial turf shall be a natural grass color and shall be limited to areas where the Planning Di...
Composting
Apex requires yard waste to be separated from household garbage and placed loose, not bagged or containerized, at the curb for weekly town composting collection.
Apex Yard Waste Composting Collection Rules
Some RestrictionsApex Town Code § 12-136
(a)Yard waste shall be placed loose (not bagged or containerized) at curbside for collection by the town. Leaves and grass clippings must be separated from other qualifying yard waste materials.(b)Yard waste to be collected by the town shall not be contaminated by materials that are not included in the definition of yard waste provided above.(c)Yard waste shall not be placed at curbside more th...
Looking for Wake County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Apex city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Wake County →