Landscaping Rules in Franklin Township, PA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Franklin Township, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, property owners must remove or trim trees and limbs growing in a Township right-of-way whenever they pose a risk of harm to the public. The Township Manager issues a written abatement notice giving 21 days to act, and can abate the hazard directly and bill the owner if the deadline passes.
Franklin Township Tree Right-of-Way Trimming Duty
Some RestrictionsFranklin Township Code §§ 10-201 to 10-203
§ 10-201. Responsibility for Removal or Trimming. ... Property owners shall be responsible for removal and/or trimming of trees in Township rights-of-way if the tree and/or limbs pose a risk of harm to the public. § 10-202. Abatement Notice. ... It shall be the duty of the Township Manager to serve or cause to be served a notice upon the owner or occupant of any premises on which the trees are ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Franklin Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, existing woodland, hedgerows and trees with a trunk diameter of six inches or more, plus any species listed on the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory, cannot be cleared without prior Township approval once a property enters subdivision or land development review. The rule lives in the Subdivision and Land Development ordinance, not the zoning code, and ties directly to the developer's approved landscape plan.
Franklin Township Tree Removal Permit Rule
Some RestrictionsFranklin Township Code § 22-610, Subsection 1.A(1) and (3)
Existing vegetation, such as woodlands, hedgerows and trees, with a dbh of six inches or more or vegetation listed on the Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory, excluding invasive vegetation, shall be preserved and incorporated into screening and landscaping plans. Such trees and vegetation shall be designated on the landscape plan submitted by the developer, and may be removed only with the...
Weed Ordinances
In Franklin Township's residential areas, Section 10-102 defines 'excess growth' as any vegetation taller than 12 inches, and Section 10-103 requires every residential lot to have excess and noxious vegetation removed. Owners get seven days' notice to abate before the Township can enter, remove the growth itself, and bill the owner, on top of fines up to $1,000.
Franklin Township Caps Weeds at 12 Inches
Some RestrictionsFranklin Township Code §§ 10-102, 10-103, 10-104, 10-105
Any growth in vegetation more than 12 inches in height. ... All lots in residential areas shall be maintained in such a manner that all excess vegetation and noxious vegetation shall be removed. ... Upon the occurrence of any excess vegetation in residential areas, the owner of the real estate and the occupier of the real estate shall be notified by the person so authorized to enforce this Part...
Water Restrictions
Franklin Township bans lawn watering, pool filling and most other nonessential water uses the moment the Township, DEP or the Delaware River Basin Commission declares a shortage. Garden and tree watering survives only as a hand-carried, off-peak exception under § 26-113.
Franklin Township Emergency Water Rules
Some RestrictionsFranklin Township Code §§ 26-113, 26-118
§ 26-113. Water Conservation Requirements. ... ... 1. When the Township, DEP and/or DRBC declares a water shortage, the following water uses are declared nonessential and are prohibited within Franklin Township: A. The watering of lawns. B. The watering of outdoor gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs and other outdoor plants, except between the hours of 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m., by means of ...
Native Plants
Franklin Township's weed ordinance only reaches residential lots. Section 10-101 excludes farmland and land kept in a natural, undeveloped state such as woodland or wetland, and Section 10-102 further excludes ornamental shrubs, foundation plantings, hardwood or softwood trees and agricultural products from the definition of 'excess growth' that otherwise triggers mandatory cutting.
Franklin Township Exempts Ornamental Plants From Weed Law
Few RestrictionsFranklin Township Code §§ 10-101, 10-102
This Part is intended to apply to the portions of the Township of Franklin not devoted to agricultural uses. It is not intended to be applicable to land maintained in a natural and undeveloped state such as woodland or wetland but is intended to be applicable to the area of the Township devoted to residential uses. ... Excess growth by this definition does not include ornamental shrubs, foundat...
Looking for Chester County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Franklin Township city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Chester County →