Landscaping Rules in Concord, NC (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Concord, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Concord bans letting trees or vegetation obstruct traffic signs or block pedestrians and vehicles within a public street or right-of-way under City Code Sec. 50-306, and gives the city arborist authority to prune, maintain, and remove trees on public property and easements under Sec. 50-302.
Concord, NC Street Tree Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsConcord, NC Code of Ordinances § 50-306
(a)No trees or large vegetation shall obstruct the view of traffic signs, signals, hinder the safe and free passage of pedestrians and vehicles, or be allowed to grow un-maintained within a public street or public street right-of-way.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Concord requires a tree canopy assessment before any tree removal or land clearing on new or expanding subdivisions of 30 or more dwelling units, per Concord Development Ordinance Sec. 11.9.4. At least half of the required open space must be preserved as a protected tree save area, and cutting or damaging trees inside that area without Administrator approval is a violation.
Concord Tree Removal Rules for Subdivisions
Some RestrictionsConcord Development Ordinance § 11.9.4(A), (F)
No tree removal or land clearing shall be permitted on a site prior to the tree canopy assessment unless approved through the modification process or early grading has been approved through the Site Plan review process. [...] Tree save areas shall not be disturbed, cut, damaged, or removed, except for in instances described in Section 11.9.3.
Weed Ordinances
Concord caps weeds and grass near any dwelling or occupied structure at 8 inches; once it grows taller, the property is a declared public nuisance and must be cut back to 4 inches or less. The rule reaches overgrowth on an adjoining parcel too, if it sits within 50 feet of the structure's wall.
Concord Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsConcord, NC City Code § 30-161(a)(2)
Any heavy growth of weeds or grasses over eight inches in height in close proximity to any dwelling or any other occupied structure whether or not such dwelling is located on the same tax parcel; and provided that the nuisance defined by this subsection shall be cleared or cut to four inches in height or less; overgrowth shall be deemed to be in close proximity to a structure or dwelling when i...
Water Restrictions
Concord ties lawn watering to a four-level water emergency scale set by the city manager. At Level II, irrigation is capped at two designated days a week between 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m.; Level III cuts that to one day a week, and Level IV bans all outdoor water use.
Concord NC Water Emergency Irrigation Limits
Some RestrictionsConcord, NC Code of Ordinances Sec. 62-165(c)(2)
During a declared level II water emergency, outdoor irrigation shall be allowed two days per week as set forth in any order of the city manager or director of water resources. Businesses whose stock in trade is live plants, including nurseries and retail garden centers are exempt from this provision... b.Watering and irrigation of lawn, ornamental plants, and gardens shall occur only between 8:...
Rainwater Harvesting
Concord's Development Ordinance treats rain barrels and cisterns as one compliance path for Low Impact Development projects. Under CDO Sec. 9.11.7(C), Standard 4, Guideline 4.6, a developer that chooses this method must equip more than 50% of a project's downspouts with a rain barrel or cistern and show every location on the conceptual plan and each lot's plot plan.
Rain Barrel Rule for Concord LID Developments
Some RestrictionsConcord Development Ordinance § 9.11.7(C), Standard 4, Guideline 4.6
Guideline 4.6. Use rain barrels and cisterns of various sizes that store runoff conveyed through building downspouts, for future use for landscape watering. Rain barrels or cisterns shall be utilized on greater than fifty percent (50%) of the overall number of downspouts within the project. Rain barrels are generally smaller structures, located above ground. Cisterns are larger, often buried un...
Composting
Concord's nuisance ordinance carves compost piles out of its garbage-and-putrescible-matter nuisance ban, so a properly maintained backyard compost pile is legal. Chicken owners face a stricter rule: any compost made with chicken manure must go in an enclosed backyard composter.
Concord Backyard Composting Rules
Few RestrictionsConcord Code § 30-161(a)(10); Concord Development Ordinance § 8.3.3.G.1.f.ii
Is an open place of collection of garbage, food waste, animal waste, or any other rotten or putrescible matter of any kind; however, nothing in this subsection shall be construed to prevent the generally accepted use of a properly maintained compost pile or storage of animal manure being used as fertilizer for lawns and gardens and for other agricultural or horticultural purposes; or ... Any co...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Concord city rules.
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