Landscaping Rules in Chattanooga, TN (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Chattanooga, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Chattanooga requires property owners to prune trees overhanging streets and sidewalks to a minimum clearance -- eight feet over sidewalks, twelve feet over most streets, fourteen feet over truck routes.
Chattanooga Street Tree Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 32-311(a)-(b)
Any person or persons owning or occupying real property where there may be trees, bordering on any street, shall prune such trees in such a manner that they will not obstruct or shade the streetlights, obstruct the passage of pedestrians on sidewalks, obstruct vision of traffic signs, obstruct the view of any street or alley intersection, or otherwise endanger the public. .....(b)The minimum cl...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Chattanooga can order a private property owner to remove dead or diseased trees that endanger life, property, or nearby trees, giving the owner fourteen days to comply before the City removes it and bills them.
Chattanooga Orders Hazard Tree Removal
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 32-315(a)
The city shall have the right to order or cause the removal of any trees that are dead or diseased on private property within the city, when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property, or harbor insects or disease which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the city. The City Forester shall determine which tree or trees are to be removed. .....(b)Unless such trees pose im...
Weed Ordinances
A separate, older Chattanooga nuisance provision also caps weeds at 10 inches: growth over that height, or that breeds mosquitoes or smells foul, is a declared nuisance.
Chattanooga Weed Height Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 20-28
Any growth of weeds to a height of over ten (10) inches and any rank vegetable growth which harbors mosquitoes or emits unpleasant and noxious odors on any premises in the city is hereby declared to be a nuisance within the meaning of section 20-21 of this Code, and subject to the provisions of this article.
Native Plants
Chattanooga generally requires grass and weeds kept under 10 inches, but Sec. 21-136(d) exempts City approved RainSmart Yards and projects approved through the RainSmart Rewards program that adhere to the program's maintenance requirements, giving certified native-plant and rain-garden landscaping a path around the standard overgrowth ordinance.
Chattanooga RainSmart Yards Weed Exemption
Light RestrictionsChattanooga City Code § 21-136(a), (d)
(a)All Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from grass, weeds or underbrush in excess of ten (10) inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Bushes, shrubs, vines, groundcover and decorative landscaping shall be properly maintained. (d)City approved RainSmart Yards and projects approved through the RainSmart Rewards program that adhere to the program's maintenance require...
Looking for Hamilton County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chattanooga city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Hamilton County →