Landscaping Rules in Cedar Rapids, IA (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Cedar Rapids, Iowa, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Cedar Rapids requires trees overhanging a sidewalk, street, or alley to be trimmed to at least 10 feet above sidewalks, 12 feet above streets and alleys, and 16 feet over state highway extensions.
Cedar Rapids Street Tree Clearance Heights
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 9.20(a)
Trees standing on any street, alley, or parkway, and trees overhanging any sidewalk, street, alley or parkway shall be trimmed so that the space from the surface to the lower branches of such trees shall not be less than 10 feet over any sidewalk, 12 feet over any street or alley, and 16 feet over streets which are primary extensions of state highways.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Cedar Rapids protects any Significant Tree, one with a trunk 10 inches or more in diameter, on private property, requiring a building permit before it can be removed and treating unpermitted removal or construction damage as a code violation.
Cedar Rapids Significant Tree Preservation
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Zoning Ordinance § 32.04.06.I.3.b
No healthy Significant Tree shall be removed from private property prior to issuance of a building permit. It shall be considered an unauthorized removal if a tree is removed without first obtaining a permit or is killed by means of grading, grubbing, placement of fill, or other unacceptable construction methods.
Weed Ordinances
Cedar Rapids caps weeds and grass on any lot at 12 inches and bans noxious weeds outright, with the city empowered to cut overgrowth and bill the property owner after notice.
Cedar Rapids 12-Inch Weed Limit
Some RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 29.34 (Section 302.4, Weeds)
Section 302.4 Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 12 inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy weeds after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with Section 107.3 and as prescribed by the authority h...
Rainwater Harvesting
Cedar Rapids Municipal Code § 35.25 requires the Utilities Director or a designee to review and approve any rainwater harvesting or catchment system before it supplies a building, under the city's local amendment to UPC § 1601.1.1. Installing the system also requires a Plumbing Permit under § 35.04, and an abandoned system must be disconnected under § 29.49.
Cedar Rapids Rainwater Harvesting Approval Rule
Significant RestrictionsCedar Rapids Municipal Code § 35.25; § 29.49 (IPMC § 505.5.1)
35.25 - 1601.1.1 ALLOWABLE USE OF ALTERNATIVE WATER SOURCES. Section 1601.1.1 Allowable Use of Alternative Water is added as follows: Permit approval of all alternative rainwater sources requires review and approval by the Utilities Director or designee. ... 29.49 - 505.5.1 ABANDONMENT OF SYSTEMS. 505.5.1 Abandonment of Systems. Where a nonpotable water reuse system or a rainwater collection an...
Looking for Linn County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cedar Rapids city rules.
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