Landscaping Rules in Corvallis, OR (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Corvallis, Oregon, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Every property owner in the City of Corvallis must prune trees, shrubs, and vegetation growing in the park strip in front of their land to clear at least 8 feet above the sidewalk and 12 feet above the street under Municipal Code Section 2.19.130. Owners must also keep plantings from blocking sight distance at intersections and driveways under Section 2.19.140.
Corvallis Street Tree Clearance Height Rule
Some RestrictionsCorvallis Municipal Code § 2.19.130
Every property owner in the City shall have the duty to and shall prune or remove any tree, shrub, plant or vegetation in or upon a park strip abutting that owner's property to a height of not less than eight feet above any sidewalk and to a height of not less than 12 feet above any street pavement or curb. This work shall comply with current industry standards (ANSI A300, ANSI Z133).
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
A Corvallis property owner needs a City Manager permit under Municipal Code Section 2.19.060 before pruning or removing any street or public tree, and the City Manager can independently order a public tree pruned or removed under Section 2.19.120, including through a hazard-abatement policy for trees that threaten public safety.
Corvallis Street Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsCorvallis Municipal Code §§ 2.19.060, 2.19.120
2)No property owner shall prune or remove any street or public tree in the City without first obtaining a permit to do so from the City Manager. A separate permit for traffic control may be required, with a written plan that conforms to the Short Term Traffic Control Handbook. ... The City Manager may cause any trees, shrubs, plants, or vegetation in or upon any park strip, street rights-of-way...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Corvallis, owners and anyone with care or custody of a lot, including the adjacent park strip in the public right-of-way, must cut brush, weeds, thistles, grass, or other rank or noxious vegetation once it reaches 10 inches tall, between May 15 and September 30 each year, under Corvallis Municipal Code Section 5.03.110.020. A violation is a Class A Infraction.
Corvallis Caps Weeds and Grass at 10 Inches
Some RestrictionsCorvallis Municipal Code § 5.03.110.020
1)The person owning, possessing, or having the care or custody of any lot or parcel of land or the adjacent park strip areas within the public right-of-way in the City of Corvallis is required to cut, as close to the ground as is reasonably practical, and must remove or destroy all brush, weeds, thistles, grass, or other rank or noxious vegetable growth growing at a height of 10 inches or more ...
Water Restrictions
Wasting or negligently using water on a Corvallis premises lets the City utility shut off service if the customer doesn't fix it within 5 days of written notice, under Municipal Code Section 3.01.250. During a declared water emergency, Section 3.01.252 makes it unlawful to use water beyond the limits the Public Works Director orders.
Corvallis Water Waste and Emergency Rules
Some RestrictionsCorvallis Municipal Code §§ 3.01.250, 3.01.252
Where water is wastefully or negligently used on a customer's premises, the utility may discontinue the service if such conditions are not corrected within five days after giving the customer written notice. ... Use of water by any person contrary to the limits imposed by any water emergency order is prohibited. Each such use shall be considered a separate violation, punishable as described in ...
Native Plants
In the City of Corvallis, a Naturescape yard, landscaping and gardening that uses predominantly native plants for wildlife habitat, is defined in Corvallis Municipal Code Section 9.02.080.04(45) and gets a specific exception from the city's weed-height nuisance rule. Under Section 9.02.090.06.020.065, a property that qualifies as Naturescape is exempt from the rule that treats grass and weeds over 10 inches tall as a public nuisance between May 15 and September 30.
Naturescape Native Plant Exemption in Corvallis
Few RestrictionsCorvallis Municipal Code §§ 9.02.080.04(45), 9.02.090.06.020.065
45)Naturescape. Landscaping and gardening approaches that use predominantly native plants for the purpose of creating improved outdoor habitat for native insects, birds, and mammals and reducing the need for pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and summer watering. ... (1)The City Council declares that rank vegetation, weeds, tall grass, or other noxious vegetation are a public nuisance under any ...
Composting
Corvallis exempts residential composting from its rat-eradication waste ban, letting households pile waste vegetable matter for composting even though dumping the same material elsewhere in the City is a crime.
Residential Composting Rules in Corvallis
Few RestrictionsCorvallis Municipal Code § 4.02.040
Section 4.02.040 - Covered containers prescribed. Within the corporate limits of the City, all garbage or refuse consisting of waste animal or vegetable matter upon which rats may feed, and all small dead animals, shall be placed and stored until collected in covered containers of a type prescribed by the City Manager. It is further declared unlawful for any person, firm, or corporation to dump...
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