Landscaping Rules in Charlotte, NC (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Charlotte, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Charlotte prohibits letting vegetation protrude or hang over a street or sidewalk far enough to block pedestrians or vehicles, backed by a $150 civil penalty, though dead or fallen trees that stay clear of the passageway are exempt.
Vegetation Clearance Over Sidewalks in Charlotte
Some RestrictionsCharlotte City Code Sec. 10-140(a)
(a)It shall be unlawful to allow vegetation on any premises to protrude or hang so as to obstruct the safe passage of pedestrians or motor vehicles. This section shall not apply to the removal of fallen trees, dead trees, shrubbery, bushes, etc., on a premises where such do not protrude into the pedestrian/motor vehicle passageway. A civil penalty in the amount of $150.00 may be issued to any p...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a heritage tree in Charlotte, a North Carolina native tree that has reached 30 inches DBH, requires a City-issued tree work permit before any work begins. Under UDO Section 20.14.B.1, removal without that permit, or disturbance of the tree's critical root zone, draws civil penalties set by the Charlotte Tree Manual, and mitigation payments and a planting plan must clear first.
Heritage Tree Removal Permit in Charlotte
Significant RestrictionsCharlotte UDO § 20.14.B.1 (Heritage Trees)
1. Heritage trees may be removed when a City-issued tree work permit is requested and approved, or the standards listed under item 2 below are met. No removal activities shall commence until such permit is issued, any applicable mitigation payments have been received, and a planting plan has been approved, unless removal is permitted per item 2 below. Owners and persons who remove a heritage tr...
Weed Ordinances
Charlotte caps grass, weeds and other vegetation at 12 inches on any premises, and a property owner or occupant who lets growth exceed that height faces a $150 civil penalty that can be issued as often as the violation recurs.
Overgrown Grass and Weed Limits in Charlotte
Some RestrictionsCharlotte City Code Sec. 10-155(a)
(a)It shall be unlawful for the owner and/or occupant of a premises to fail to cut overgrown grass, weeds, and other vegetation when the grass, weeds, and other vegetation is of a height greater than 12 inches. A civil penalty in the amount of $150.00 may be issued to any person in violation of this section.(d)It shall be the duty of the owner and occupant to cut and remove all grass, weeds, an...
Water Restrictions
Charlotte Water (CMU) can impose mandatory watering-day, time-of-day, or complete bans on irrigation once the city manager issues a water shortage declaration. Phase I restricts discretionary uses like lawn watering; violators face escalating civil penalties added to the water bill.
Charlotte Watering Restrictions During Shortages
Some RestrictionsCharlotte City Code § 23-256(b)
A water shortage declaration imposing phase I water conservation controls may include:(1)Restrictions on the manner, day of the week, and/or time of day of one or more discretionary water uses; and/or(2)Complete prohibitions on one or more of such uses.