Landscaping Rules in Durham, NC (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Durham, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Durham Code Ch. 26 caps grass at 12 inches within 100 feet of a street or 50 feet of a building. City abates and liens noncompliant properties.
Durham Grass Height Limits
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Durham UDO Sec. 8.3 protects major specimen trees. Street tree pruning requires Urban Forestry approval. Topping is prohibited citywide.
Durham Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Durham UDO Sec. 8.3 protects specimen trees on development sites. Unauthorized removal triggers 3-to-5-year site plan denial. Existing homes face fewer restrictions.
Durham Tree Removal Permits
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Durham Code Ch. 26 declares weeds a nuisance when harboring pests or creating fire risk. Neighborhood Improvement Services abates and liens noncompliant lots.
Durham Weed Abatement Ordinance
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Durham enforces a year-round odd-even spray irrigation schedule with no watering on Mondays or between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. Fines reach $250.
Durham Water Restrictions and Irrigation Schedule
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
NC State Law 243 (2009) prohibits local bans on rain barrels and cisterns. Durham exempts rainwater systems from its mandatory irrigation schedule.
Durham Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Durham UDO Sec. 8.3 requires Piedmont-native replacement trees with 50 percent hardwood canopy on development sites. Existing yards face no native-plant mandate.
Durham Native Plant Requirements
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Durham has no citywide ban on residential artificial turf. UDO site plans require living plants, so synthetic turf does not count. HOA rules may vary.