Landscaping Rules in Buffalo, NY (2026)
3 verified landscaping rules for Buffalo, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
When a tree on private property in Buffalo turns diseased, dead or otherwise hazardous, City Code § 309-32 lets the Commissioner of Parks order the owner to trim or remove it. Owners get five days to request a hearing before the Commissioner can force the work and bill the property for the cost.
Buffalo Hazardous Tree Trimming Order Process
Some RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 309-32
B. Unsafe or hazardous trees. Any tree which is diseased, dead, unsafe or otherwise in a hazardous condition so as to be a danger to persons or property shall be trimmed or removed as required by the condition of the tree. C. Notice. (1) When the Commissioner of Parks or his duly authorized agent shall determine that a tree is a danger to persons or property, he shall immediately serve a notice...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Buffalo protects every tree in its streets, parks, and the strip between sidewalk and curb. No one may cut, remove, transplant, or prune a public tree without authorization from the Commissioner of Human Services, Parks and Recreation, arranged through the Bureau of Forestry.
Buffalo Street Tree Rules: Permit to Plant or Remove
Significant RestrictionsBuffalo City Code § 467-3 (Abuse and mutilation prohibited)
Without authorization from the Commissioner of Human Services, Parks and Recreation, no person, firm or corporation shall damage, cut, carve, transplant or remove any tree, shrub or plant or injure the bark thereof. ... This section shall apply to any tree, shrub or plant in the City of Buffalo on any public street, public park or public property, including those trees, shrubs and plants in the...
Weed Ordinances
Buffalo requires every property owner to cut down overgrown weeds, grass, brush and other vegetation each year between May 1 and June 1, and keep it cut after that. Miss it and the city cuts it, bills you, and issues a $150 fine.
Buffalo NY Overgrown Weeds and Grass Rules
Some RestrictionsCode of the City of Buffalo, NY § 341-1
It shall be the duty of every owner, occupant or person having charge of lands within the City to cut down or cause to be cut down all overgrown weeds, grass, brush and other vegetation and to remove or cause to be removed all garbage and tree limbs or other debris on said land each and every year between May 1 and June 1 and so often thereafter as necessary to maintain such land in a sanitary ...
Looking for Erie County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Buffalo city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Erie County →