Landscaping Rules in Atlanta, GA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Atlanta, Georgia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Atlanta requires property owners to trim or remove trees that block safety or free passage along a public street, sidewalk, or multi-use trail, or face a municipal court citation after 30 days' notice.
Atlanta Tree Trimming Near Streets & Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 158-41(a),(b)(3)
Abatement may be ordered where a private property tree interferes with safety or free passage along a public street, sidewalk, or multi-use trail; or is deemed a nuisance as defined in this section.(b)Notice. When the city arborist determines that a private tree requires abatement, he or she shall give written notice to the owner of the property. The notice shall contain:(1)A clear and concise ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Atlanta requires a permit from the city arborist before removing or destroying any regulated tree, six inches DBH or larger, or 12 inches for pines, on public or private property citywide.
Atlanta Tree Removal Permit Requirement
Significant RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 158-49(a)
No person shall directly or indirectly remove or destroy a regulated tree on public or private property without first obtaining a permit from the city arborist, except as otherwise set forth in this article.(b)Replacement or recompense required. Any person removing or destroying a regulated tree must replant tree(s), pay recompense, or both, based on the calculated value of the tree pursuant to...
Weed Ordinances
Atlanta bans weeds taller than 12 inches on at least 10 percent of a vacant or abandoned lot, or 35 percent of its pervious surface, whichever is greater: code enforcement can abate the violation and place a lien for the cost.
Atlanta Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 158-7
It shall be a violation of this Code for the owner of any abandoned or vacant property as defined in this section to permit weeds to obtain a height exceeding 12 inches on at least ten percent of the size of the property tract or 35 percent of the pervious surface, whichever is greater, unless exempted as described in this section. Vegetation not to encroach into the right of way or onto adj...
Water Restrictions
Atlanta restricts outdoor irrigation to the hours of 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. year-round, tightening to a two-day odd-even address schedule during declared drought response levels, enforced by the Department of Watershed Management.
Atlanta Lawn Watering Time Restrictions
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 154-73.3(a)(1)
During non-drought periods, persons may irrigate outdoors daily for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
Rainwater Harvesting
Atlanta's post-development stormwater code lists rainwater harvesting and reuse among four ranked green infrastructure practices developers must prioritize to meet the city's runoff-reduction standard, which requires retaining the first inch of rainfall on-site for new development and major redevelopment.
Atlanta Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Some RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 74-513(a)(3)
(3) The applicant shall prioritize stormwater management measures used to meet the runoff reduction standard in the following order: a. Vegetated infiltration BMPs: bioretention, stormwater planters, etc. b. Permeable pavements. c. Green roofs, rainwater harvesting and reuse, and lined bioretention or lined stormwater planters. d. Infiltration practices installed underground, specifically dry w...
Native Plants
Atlanta's Housing Code recognizes naturescaping, landscaping built around native plants, as a lawful alternative to a manicured yard, exempting dead shrubs, trees, and stumps kept as part of a naturescape from the city's general yard-clearing duty, so long as they create no fire or safety hazard.
Atlanta Native-Plant Naturescaping Allowance
Light RestrictionsAtlanta Housing Code § 25(a)(7) (Appendix E to the Atlanta Code of Ordinances)
Remove all dead shrubs, dead trees, branches, and stumps with the exception of such tree parts being maintained as part of a naturescape area of a yard, which are not to create a safety or fire hazard. Any person violating these provisions shall be fined with penalties as provided in Subsection 18(d), titled "Penalties".
Composting
Atlanta lets residential property owners compost yard trimmings on-site instead of setting them out for curbside pickup, but the pile must stay odor-free, pest-free, and free of nuisance conditions under Code of Ordinances § 130-36(k).
Atlanta Backyard Composting Rules
Light RestrictionsAtlanta Code of Ordinances § 130-36(k)
Residential composting. Residential property owners and occupants not placing yard trimmings for disposal through the curbside collection may use residential composting provided that the composting:(1)Occurs on the residential premises where the waste organic matter was generated;(2)Is conducted in accordance with accepted composting practices;(3)Is conducted in accordance with applicable feder...
Looking for Fulton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Atlanta city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Fulton County →