Landscaping Rules in Fayetteville, NC (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Fayetteville, North Carolina, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
City crews or PWC can prune any tree overhanging a Fayetteville street or right-of-way to keep branches clear of streetlights and intersection sightlines. The code sets fixed clearances, eight feet over sidewalks, thirteen and a half feet over streets, seventeen feet over highways, and requires the owner get at least 24 hours' notice before the work happens.
Fayetteville Sets Clearance Heights for Street Tree Pruning
Some RestrictionsFayetteville, N.C., Unified Development Ordinance § 30-5.B.5 (Public Tree Protection Standards — Clearances over Streets and Walkways)
The City Manager or PWC may, in the interest of public health and safety, prune any tree that overhangs into any street or right-of-way within the City, so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the walkways, a clear space of 13½ feet above th...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Fayetteville requires inch-for-inch replacement of trees damaged or unlawfully removed, replanted within 12 months. Approved specimen tree removal costs $50 per caliper inch into the city tree fund. Credited preserved trees that die within 24 months must be replaced.
Inch-for-inch replacement for unlawful removal; tree fund payment
Some RestrictionsFayetteville UDO § 30-2.C.9.f (Clearing in Violation)
In addition, trees damaged or unlawfully removed shall be replaced with one or more replacement trees, measuring inch-for-inch to the tree(s) removed. The replacement trees shall be replanted within 12 months of the notice.
Weed Ordinances
Fayetteville sets no numeric grass height. Overgrowth is enforced as a public health nuisance under Sections 22-16 and 14-35. Owners get 10 business days after notice, then face a $200 administrative fee, city-contracted cutting billed back, and a lien collected like delinquent taxes.
No height number, but $200 daily penalty and mowing liens
Heavy RestrictionsFayetteville Code of Ordinances § 14-35(b) (Property Maintenance)
Yards and courts shall be kept clean and free of physical hazards, rubbish, trash and garbage. Heavy undergrowths or accumulations of plant growth which are noxious or detrimental to health shall be prohibited on the lot on which the structure is located.
Water Restrictions
Fayetteville's Public Works Commission runs a year-round mandatory watering schedule keyed to the last digit of your street address. Addresses ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 water Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday; even-ending addresses water Saturday, Monday and Wednesday, with automatic irrigation, sprinklers or hose-end devices covered.
Odd/Even Address Sets Your Watering Days
Some RestrictionsFayetteville, N.C., Code of Ordinances § 28-265
It shall be mandatory for every user to comply with the following schedule for the irrigation of outdoor landscaping (such as grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers and vegetable gardens) on a year-round basis: For addresses that end in the number 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 watering of lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flowers and vegetable gardens using an automatic irrigation or sprinkler system or hose end spr...
Rainwater Harvesting
Fayetteville lists Rainwater Cistern as a permitted accessory use across residential and most other zoning districts. Section 30-4.D.3.o sets five siting standards covering placement, gutter connection, mosquito control, setbacks, and screening. No city permit fee or volume cap applies.
Rainwater cisterns allowed as accessory use with siting rules
Few RestrictionsFayetteville Unified Development Ordinance § 30-4.D.3.o (Rainwater Cisterns)
Rainwater cisterns shall be: 1. Located directly adjacent to the principle structure; 2. Be affixed to capture rainwater from the principle structure or accessory structure's gutter system; 3. Outfitted with devices to control the breeding of mosquitoes or other insects; 4. Located outside of required setbacks.
Native Plants
Fayetteville's UDO requires that at least 50 percent of all new trees planted under the landscaping standards be native species, and encourages native drought-tolerant vegetation to cut irrigation demand. The mandate binds development plantings, not private homeowner gardens.
Half of new development trees must be native
Some RestrictionsFayetteville Unified Development Ordinance § 30-5.B.3.e.2.g
The use of native, drought tolerant vegetation is encouraged to reduce dependency upon irrigation. Fifty percent of all new trees planted shall be native.
Looking for Cumberland County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fayetteville city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Cumberland County →