Landscaping Rules in Duluth, MN (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Duluth, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Duluth, homeowners must trim any private tree or shrub that overhangs a public street or sidewalk easement to a clear height of 14 feet over vehicle travel lanes and ten feet over pedestrian paths under Duluth Legislative Code § 35-30. Owners must also remove hazardous dead or diseased branches, and the tree inspector can order compliance in writing.
Duluth Street Tree Clearance Trimming Rule
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 35-30
(b) Any tree or shrub situated upon private property, but so situated as to extend its branches over the improved portion of a public street or highway easement, shall be so trimmed by the owner of the real property upon which the same is located that there is a clear height of 14 feet over that portion of such easement that is used for vehicular traffic, and a clear height of ten feet over tha...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Duluth, removing a special-species tree of 20 inches or more in trunk diameter is prohibited on any development site unless the city forester, city engineer or land use supervisor signs off for a specific listed reason under Duluth Legislative Code § 50-25.9 of the Unified Development Chapter. Smaller protected trees still trigger a replacement obligation.
Duluth Large Tree Removal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 50-25.9.B.2(b)
(b) Removal of special tree species 20 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) or greater is prohibited unless any of the following applies: (i) The city forester determines that the tree is dead, dying, diseased or a threat to public health or safety; (ii) The city engineer determines that the tree interferes with the provision of public services or is a hazard to traffic; (iii) The land use su...
Rainwater Harvesting
Duluth's Unified Development Chapter treats rainwater harvesting tanks as accessory features that must sit in side or rear yards, while accessory rain gardens get more room and may go in any yard, including the front. Separately, the sewer code requires roof downspouts near the foundation or property line to route into a rain barrel of at least 35 gallons.
Duluth Zoning Rules for Rainwater Harvesting Tanks
Light RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code §§ 43-31(a), 50-21.3, Table 50-21-1
Down spouts connected to roof gutters will not discharge water within two feet of the building foundations, and parallel to the property if within five feet of the property line. An exception of this will be if the building down spout is connected to a rain barrel with a minimum capacity of 35 gallons. ... Structure or Feature Conditions or Limits ... Accessory clotheslines, play equipment, tra...
Composting
In the City of Duluth, yard waste may only go into a back yard compost site or the licensed yard waste compost facility, never loose in a lot or alley. City code requires backyard piles to sit in the rear yard, at least 15 feet from any dwelling, and enclosed so animals and odors stay contained.
Duluth Backyard Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsDuluth Legislative Code § 24-30
(a) Any person disposing of yard waste shall do so only at a back yard compost site or a yard waste compost facility; (b) Back yard compost sites shall be located in the rear yard, as defined in Chapter 50 of this Code, of the property and at least 15 feet from any dwelling; (c) Compost piles in back yard compost sites shall be enclosed with a rigid enclosure suitable to keep the enclosed compo...
Looking for St. Louis County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Duluth city rules.
Landscaping Rules in St. Louis County →