Landscaping Rules in Colonie, NY (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Colonie, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Town of Colonie subdivisions, no live tree over three inches in diameter may be cut down in areas the Planning Board designates for preservation without the Board's express consent, marked on the approved plan.
Colonie Tree Removal: Planning Board Consent in Subdivisions
Some RestrictionsTown of Colonie Code Ch. 177 (Trees), § 177-3, Restrictions on cutting and removal
The Planning Board of the Town of Colonie is empowered to require that trees will be left standing in areas upon the plat or subdivision, and no live tree exceeding three inches in diameter may be cut down in such areas without expressed consent of the Planning Board, to be indicated upon the approved plan. The Planning Board may also require that trees shall not be cut down on or removed from ...
Weed Ordinances
The Town of Colonie prohibits untended grasses, bushes and vegetation taller than 10 inches. The Building Department orders cutting within seven days; ignore it and town crews mow the lot, bill the owner, and file any unpaid cost as a tax lien.
Colonie Caps Grass and Weeds at 10 Inches
Some RestrictionsTown of Colonie Code § 62-42 (Property Maintenance — Definitions, "Brush and weeds")
BRUSH AND WEEDS — Any untended or uncultivated grasses, bushes, deleterious or unhealthful vegetation or other growing matter in excess of 10 inches in height, except trees, properly tended ornamental shrubbery, properly tended flowers or vegetables, properly tended pastureland, woodland or land under cultivation.
Water Restrictions
Colonie has no standing day-of-week lawn watering schedule. The Town Board may only restrict sprinkling, irrigation or car washing by resolution once it declares a water supply emergency under Town Code Chapter 188, and the limits vanish the moment that resolution is lifted.
Colonie Lawn Watering Rules Apply Only in Emergencies
Light RestrictionsColonie Code § 188-4A
Direct the Superintendent of the Water Department to prepare a proclamation prohibiting all users of said water supply from using the same or any part thereof for the sprinkling or irrigation of lawns, ornamental plants, shrubs or trees or domestic gardens, washing motor vehicles or limiting such use to certain hours of the day or certain days of the week; and/or
Native Plants
In areas influenced by the Albany Pine Bush Preserve within Colonie's Conservation Development Overlay, new commercial, industrial, and residential buildings must be landscaped with native Albany Pine Bush species to the greatest extent practicable. The Town makes a list of qualifying native species available to applicants on request.
Colonie Pine Bush Overlay Requires Native Landscaping
Light RestrictionsTown of Colonie Code § 190-30H(1)
H. Special standards for areas influenced by Albany Pine Bush Preserve. (1) Native Albany Pine Bush species will be used to landscape new commercial, industrial and residential buildings to the greatest extent practicable. New landscaping shall not consist of known invasive species. A list of native Albany Pine Bush species shall be made available at the applicant's request.
Composting
Colonie's Solid Waste chapter does not force residents to bag every leaf and clipping. Section 112-16(G) lets a yard waste generator compost that material on-site instead of setting it out for collection, as long as the composting is done in a way that protects public health and does not create a nuisance or offensive odor.
Colonie Allows On-Site Composting of Yard Waste
Light RestrictionsColonie Code § 112-16(G)
Nothing herein shall preclude a yard waste generator from composting such wastes in a fashion protective of public health and so as not to create a nuisance, including offensive odors.
Looking for Albany County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Colonie city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Albany County →