Landscaping Rules in Chapel Hill, NC (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Chapel Hill, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Chapel Hill property owners must trim or remove trees, shrubs or vegetation that overhang and obstruct a sidewalk or public street under Code of Ordinances Section 17-102, which declares the overgrowth a public nuisance. The town manager can order trimming of roots damaging public infrastructure and must correct hazards from Town-owned trees after notice.
Chapel Hill Overhanging Tree Trim Duty
Some RestrictionsChapel Hill Code of Ordinances § 17-102
(a)Trees, plants, shrubs or vegetation which so overhang any sidewalk or public street, or which are growing thereon, (or adjacent thereto), in such a manner as to obstruct or impair the free and full use of the sidewalk or public street by the public, either directly or by obstructing traffic vision, are hereby declared to be public nuisances.(b)It shall be the duty of the owner of the propert...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
No one may remove a tree or shrub from Chapel Hill public property or a street right-of-way without a town manager permit under Code of Ordinances Section 17-103. The Town itself may remove only dead, dangerous, diseased or unsightly public trees, or those blocking a public facility, and must replace what it removes where feasible.
Chapel Hill Public Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsChapel Hill Code of Ordinances § 17-103
(a)Trees or shrubs shall not be removed from public property or public street rights-of-way without a permit issued by the town manager or his duly authorized representative. Trees and shrubs on public properties may be removed by the town only when they are dead, dangerous to life and property, seriously diseased or unsightly or constitute a nuisance, or where necessary to accommodate the cons...
Weed Ordinances
Chapel Hill's weed ordinance is notice-triggered rather than a fixed height limit. Section 11-25 bans letting noxious weeds, underbrush or piled rubbish remain on a lot once the health department or town manager has given notice, with a $5.00-per-day penalty for noncompliance after 24 hours.
Chapel Hill Noxious Weeds and Rubbish Removal Rule
Some RestrictionsChapel Hill Code of Ordinances § 11-25
It shall be unlawful for any person to allow or permit to remain on his lot or a lot occupied by him any noxious weeds, underbrush, piled rubbish, after having been notified to remove same by the health department or the city manager of the town. Any person refusing to remove same within twenty-four (24) hours after being requested to do so by the health department shall be subject to forfeit a...
Water Restrictions
OWASA customers in the Town of Chapel Hill may run spray irrigation only three days a week, tied to whether the property's street address ends in an odd or even digit, and only between 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., under Section 23-64(a)(1) of the town's water conservation ordinance.
Chapel Hill Odd/Even Irrigation Watering Days
Some RestrictionsChapel Hill Code of Ordinances § 23-64(a)(1)
Sec. 23-64. - Exterior use. (a)The following outdoor or exterior use requirements shall apply to all customers using OWASA-supplied potable water:(1)Spray irrigation shall not occur more than three (3) days per week. Even-numbered properties may be irrigated with spray systems only on Sundays, Wednesdays, and/or Fridays. Odd-numbered properties may be irrigated with spray systems only on Tuesda...
Rainwater Harvesting
Chapel Hill's Land Use Management Ordinance lets homeowners install rain barrels or cisterns up to 6 feet tall in the first 2 feet of a required front setback, while the town's water conservation code separately defines and promotes rain barrels and cisterns as approved harvested-water storage devices.
Chapel Hill Rain Barrel and Cistern Rules
Few RestrictionsChapel Hill Land Use Management Ordinance § 3.11.2.7.J.1.c-d
J.Setback encroachments. All buildings and structures must be located at or behind required setbacks, except as listed below. Unless specifically stated no building or structure can extend into a required setback or public right-of-way.1.Building features. ... c.Low impact stormwater management features may encroach into the first two (2) feet of the minimum front setback. The features may incl...
Composting
Chapel Hill does not require or regulate backyard composting: § 8-24.4(c) of the Code of Ordinances simply encourages residents to compost yard waste at home and directs them to the Public Works Department for information, while § 8-24.4(b) requires a fire marshal permit before any yard waste is burned.
Chapel Hill Home Composting Policy
Few RestrictionsChapel Hill Code of Ordinances § 8-24.4(c)
(a)All yard waste material shall be disposed of in accordance with all applicable local ordinances and state and federal rules and regulations.(b)No person shall burn yard waste material in the town without acquiring special permission form the town's fire marshall.(c)Home composting of yard waste is encouraged by the town and information or assistance is available from the town's public works ...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chapel Hill city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Orange County →