Landscaping Rules in Erie, PA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Erie, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
The City of Erie's adopted property-maintenance standard requires premises to be kept free of weeds and plant growth taller than 10 inches; overgrowth is a code-enforcement and Quality of Life violation.
Grass and Weeds Over 10 Inches Prohibited
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie Code Enforcement, Common Property Maintenance Violations (Property Maintenance FAQ)
Premises should be free from weeds/ plant growth above 10 inches.
Tree Trimming
Erie requires trees to be kept clear at 14 feet above the street and 9 feet above the sidewalk, and any planting or removal of a tree in the public right-of-way needs a City permit from the Urban Forest Committee.
Street Tree Clearance and Public Tree Permits
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie Code Enforcement, Common Property Maintenance Violations (Property Maintenance FAQ)
Trees should be kept at 14 feet above the street and 9 feet above the sidewalk.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Tree removal in the City of Erie is governed by Article 165 (Urban Forest Committee). No person may remove a tree or shrub on a street or municipal property without filing an application and procuring a permit from the City Arborist, and Article 165.07(c) imposes a $50 administrative fee for tree-removal applications (waivable for City-confirmed hazard removals). Routine removal of dead, diseased, or hazardous trees on private property is generally exempt from City permitting.
Erie PA Tree Removal Rules
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Erie defines weeds as a nuisance, caps plant growth at 10 inches, and lets the City cut overgrowth and bill the owner if it is not removed after notice.
Weeds Declared a Nuisance; Abatement at Owner Expense
Some RestrictionsCity of Erie Codified Ordinances Art. 727 (Refuse on Sidewalks)
The portion of streets between the property line and the outer edge of the roadway, which space is ordinarily occupied by lawns, sidewalks and shade trees, shall be kept clean and clear of all kinds of weeds, bushes and refuse, whether growing or cut, by the owner, tenant, occupant or agent of the property immediately abutting such space.
Water Restrictions
Erie has no city lawn-watering ordinance in normal conditions; Pennsylvania state law (4 Pa. Code Chapter 119) prohibits watering grass and most outdoor plants once the Governor declares a drought emergency in the area.
Drought Watering Restrictions (PA State Law)
Some Restrictions4 Pa. Code Sec. 119.4 (Prohibition of nonessential water uses)
Whenever the Governor declares by proclamation or executive order a state of drought or water shortage emergency in an area of this Commonwealth, the following water uses shall be deemed nonessential and are prohibited within areas that have been declared to be in a state of drought or water shortage emergency... (1) The use of any water for watering of grass, except: ... (ii) Water may be used...
Native Plants
The City of Erie does not mandate native-plant landscaping on residential property. The Erie Environmental Advisory Council (codified at eCode360 https://ecode360.com/43570009) is established under the Pennsylvania Environmental Advisory Council Act (53 P.S. §11304) and promotes sustainability education. The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Erie County and PA DCNR provide free native-plant guidance. Pennsylvania's Right to Farm Act (3 P.S. §951-957) protects qualifying agricultural operations from nuisance suits raised more than one year after operations begin.
Erie PA Native Plants and Environmental Advisory Council
Few RestrictionsComposting
Backyard composting in the City of Erie is permitted and encouraged. The City operates a curbside compost-collection program that picks up grass clippings, leaves, hedge and shrub trimmings, and garden clippings in approved compostable bags (ASTM D6400) or hard containers (50-lb limit) on regular trash days. PA Act 101 (53 P.S. §4000.101+) requires Pennsylvania municipalities over 5,000 population to provide yard-waste collection. Open burning of leaves is prohibited under 25 Pa. Code §129.14.