Landscaping Rules in Charlottesville, VA (2026)
3 verified landscaping rules for Charlottesville, Virginia, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Any tree with an 8-inch or greater trunk diameter needs a Tree Removal Permit before it comes down in Charlottesville, under the Development Code's tree preservation standards, unless the Administrator has already flagged it as dead, dying or hazardous.
Charlottesville Tree Removal Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville Development Code § 4.9.1.C; § 5.2.10.A.1
A Tree Removal Permit is required prior to the removal of any tree with an 8-inch diameter breast height (DBH) or more (see 5.2.10. Permit Review). ... ... 1. Tree Removal Permit. ... Applies to all properties and is required prior to the removal of any tree with a diameter breast height (DBH) of 8 inches or more in accordance with 4.9.1. Tree Preservation and Replacement a. Trees of any size d...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, owners of developed lots cannot let weeds, grass, brush or other vegetation grow to eighteen inches or taller. City Code § 5-149 makes any violation a public nuisance that the Department of Neighborhood Development Services can order abated, and it applies on every improved parcel citywide, not just lots bordering a street or sidewalk.
Weed and Grass Height Limit in Charlottesville
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 5-149(b)(1)(i)
It shall be unlawful for the owner of any parcel of real estate to allow weeds to reach a height of eighteen (18) or more inches, where such weeds are located: (i) on any developed lot or parcel in the city ... All weeds existing in violation of this section are hereby declared to constitute a public nuisance.
Water Restrictions
In the City of Charlottesville, Virginia, once City Council declares a drought warning stage, outdoor watering of lawns, shrubs and gardens drawn from the public water supply is limited to hand-held hoses with automatic shutoff nozzles, and irrigation of new plantings, sod and athletic fields is restricted to the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. The Department of Public Works enforces the restrictions once they are published in local media.
Charlottesville Drought-Stage Watering Restrictions
Some RestrictionsCharlottesville City Code § 31-125(a)
(a)Drought warning stage restrictions: The following drought warning stage restrictions on the use of water drawn from the city's public water supply shall be in effect upon adoption of an implementing resolution by city council:(1)Watering of established outside shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, plants, homegardens, or any other established vegetation, shall only be conducted manually by means o...