Landscaping Rules in Burlington, NC (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Burlington, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Burlington requires property owners to trim trees, vines, and shrubbery that project into a public street or sidewalk right-of-way. Under Code sections 34-10 and 34-11, the superintendent of streets can order trimming or removal, and owners who ignore a notice for more than five days face city-ordered work billed back to them.
Burlington Street Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsBurlington City Code §§ 34-10, 34-11
Sec. 34-10. - Trees, etc.—Trimming or removal.The superintendent of streets shall notify all persons having:(a)Trees in front of lots to have them properly trimmed when deemed necessary. ... If the owner or occupant refuses or delays compliance for more than five (5) days after receiving such notice, the city shall proceed to have such trees trimmed or removed at the expense of the owner or occ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Burlington, North Carolina, no one may remove, prune, treat, trench or grade within the drip line of a street tree in the public right-of-way without a permit from the city Tree Advisory Committee. Applications go through the Public Works Department, and removing or destroying a right-of-way tree without authorization draws a $50 civil penalty plus full replacement cost.
Burlington NC Street Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsBurlington City Code §§ 38-27(a), 38-30
(a)It shall be unlawful for any person to prune, treat, trench or grade within the drip line or remove or add any street trees, shrubs or other plantings within the city rights-of-way or property without first filing an application with the city public works department and procuring a permit from the city tree advisory committee. The city tree advisory committee will review the application and ...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Burlington, North Carolina, letting weeds or other vegetation grow past twelve inches on any lot, occupied or vacant, is declared a nuisance under City Code § 22-2(1). Code enforcement mails and posts notice, giving the owner ten days to cut it before the city abates it and bills the owner, with civil penalties rising per repeat violation.
Burlington 12-Inch Weed Height Nuisance Limit
Some RestrictionsBurlington City Code §§ 22-2, 22-3, 22-10
The existence of any of the following conditions on any lot or parcel of land in the city is hereby declared to be noxious, detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of its citizens and the peace and dignity of the city, and to constitute a nuisance and to be violative of the provisions of this chapter: ... Uncontrolled growth of weeds or other vegetation to a height of twelve (12) inches, o...
Water Restrictions
In the City of Burlington, North Carolina, lawn and shrub watering is unrestricted only until the city declares a water shortage stage. Under section 40-13, Stage II mandatory conservation limits sprinkler watering of lawns, gardens and golf greens to Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, and Stage III drops sprinklers entirely in favor of hand-held hoses or drip irrigation during those same windows.
Burlington NC Watering Day Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsBurlington City Code § 40-13(c),(d)
(c)Stage II—Moderate mandatory conservation, established drought. ... No person shall:(1)Water lawns, grass, trees, shrubbery, flowers, golf greens or vegetable gardens except between 4:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday and 7:00 a.m. 12:00 noon on Saturday. The use of well water or private water is the only exception to this rule. ... (d)Stage III—Severe mandatory conservation, prolonged drought. ...
Looking for Alamance County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Burlington city rules.
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