Landscaping Rules in Asheville, NC (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Asheville, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Asheville requires property owners to keep trees, shrubs, and vines on their land trimmed back so nothing projects onto the abutting street or sidewalk. Public Works can order removal of overgrowth, and unresponsive owners face a city cleanup billed to them.
Asheville Street Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsAsheville Code of Ordinances Sec. 20-24
Trees, shrubbery, flowers, bushes or vines standing in or upon any lot or land abutting city property and having branches, limbs, trunks, or other parts projecting onto city property shall be maintained by the owner of the property on which such trees, shrubbery, flowers, bushes or vines are growing so as not to interfere with the free and safe passage along the city right-of-way by pedestrians...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Asheville requires a tree removal permit before cutting any tree in a steep slope zone, an aquatic buffer, or an established tree canopy protection area. The Urban Forester's office reviews applications within ten business days under City Code Sec. 7-19-6.
Asheville Tree Removal Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsAsheville City Code Sec. 7-19-6
Sec. 7-19-6. Permitting. (a) Tree removal permits. (1) A permit shall be required for the following activities: a. The removal of any trees on properties within any steep slope zone or an aquatic buffer. b. The removal of any tree within an established tree canopy protection area. (2) Fees. a. Fees for tree removal permit applications shall be established and listed in the current year fees and...
Weed Ordinances
Asheville City Code Sec. 15-6 requires every landowner, occupant or tenant to keep land clear of weeds, grass, trash and rubbish that becomes a nuisance. There is no fixed inch or height limit; the test is whether growth breeds pests, threatens health, or creates a fire hazard. Violators face a civil penalty under Sec. 15-52.
Asheville Bans Nuisance Weeds and Grass
Some RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 15-6(a)-(b)
(a) Accumulation prohibited. Every person who is the owner of land lying and situated within the city or who occupies, rents or leases any such land shall keep such land and all appurtenances thereto free and clear of all trash, rubbish, garbage, weeds, grass or other objects that cause such land and appurtenances to become a nuisance or menace to the health and welfare of the citizens who li...
Rainwater Harvesting
In Asheville's Urban Place Form District, rain barrels and cisterns up to six feet tall are treated as approved low impact stormwater features and can sit inside the required street setback, encroaching up to two feet toward the sidewalk. The city does not require a separate permit for the barrel itself, but placement must respect the two-foot buffer.
Asheville Rain Barrel Setback Rules
Light RestrictionsAsheville City Code § 7-8-26(2.1)(H)(2)
2. Low impact stormwater features. a. Low impact stormwater management features may encroach up to two feet into a primary street setback (but not into the required sidewalk), including, but not limited to: i. Rain barrels or cisterns, six feet or less in height; ii. Planter boxes; iii. Bio-retention areas; and iv. Similar features, as determined by the city engineer. b. Low impac...
Looking for Buncombe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Asheville city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Buncombe County →