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
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.
Weed Ordinances
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.
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...
Rainwater Harvesting
Erie's zoning code expressly allows rain barrels on urban garden and market garden sites under Zoning Ordinance Section 305.48(b)(5). Rain barrels are permitted as an accessory feature to these vacant-lot food-growing uses in the R-2, R-3 and RLB Districts, alongside the other accessory-structure standards the city sets for gardens carved from unused parcels.
Rain Barrels Permitted for Erie Urban Gardens
Few RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Zoning Ordinance (Ordinance No. 80-2005, as amended), Section 305.48(b)
(b) Accessory structures associated with urban gardens and urban markets shall comply with the requirements of the following regulations: (1) Urban gardens are permitted to have one accessory structure not to exceed 100 square feet in size. ... (5) Rain barrels are permitted for urban gardens and market gardens. (6) All accessory structures shall be removed in the event that the use of an urban...
Native Plants
Erie's Zoning Ordinance Section 206.15(d)(3)G lets an Industrial Park property owner treat part of the site as natural landscaping to encourage native plants instead of standard plantings. The same clause bans a short list of nuisance spreaders, Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, and autumn olive, from that natural area unless it falls within designated wetlands.
Erie Industrial Park Allows Native Plant Landscaping
Light RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Zoning Ordinance (Ord. No. 80-2005, as amended through Ord. No. 15-2023), Sec. 206.15(d)(3)G
The owner may elect to treat portions of the site as natural landscaping; by encouraging the growth of native plants. Plants which can become a nuisance (Japanese honeysuckle, multiflora rose, autumn olive, etc.) shall not be planted or maintained on the site unless a part of designated wetlands.
Artificial Turf
Erie's vacant and foreclosure property maintenance rule, Article 749, names artificial turf or sod designed for residential installation as acceptable yard groundcover, alongside grass and plantings, while barring gravel, broken concrete and asphalt as substitutes. The rule applies to registered vacant and foreclosure properties, not every yard citywide.
Erie Allows Artificial Turf on Vacant/Foreclosed Lots
Light RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances § 749.06(d) (Maintenance requirements)
Yard maintenance shall include, but not be limited to, grass, ground covers, bushes, shrubs, hedges or similar plantings, decorative rock or bark or artificial turf/sod designed specifically for residential installation. Acceptable maintenance of yards and/or landscape shall not include weeds, gravel, broken concrete, asphalt or similar material.
Composting
Erie runs its own composting program through the Bureau of Refuse and Recycling covering grass clippings, lawn and leaf waste, and hedge trimmings. The City sets the collection manner, bags or containers used, and other program details by administrative regulation rather than fixed ordinance rules.
Erie's Citywide Composting Program for Yard Waste
Light RestrictionsCity of Erie, PA Codified Ordinances, Article 951 (Residential Refuse), Section 951.14
The Bureau of Refuse and Recycling, under and subject to regulations established by the Directors of the Department of Public Works, Property and Parks, shall operate a composting program throughout the City. Grass clippings, lawn and leaf waste and hedge trimmings are included in this program. The manner of collection, types of bags or containers or other aspects of this program may be altered...