Landscaping Rules in Gaithersburg, MD (2026)
3 verified landscaping rules for Gaithersburg, Maryland, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Trees overhanging public sidewalks and streets in Gaithersburg must maintain a minimum clearance of 8 feet above sidewalks and 14 feet above streets to ensure safe passage for pedestrians and vehicles. Property owners are responsible for trimming their own trees that encroach into these clearance zones, even if the trunk is on private property. Roadside trees planted within the public right-of-way along county-maintained roads are regulated under Montgomery County Code Chapter 49 (Roadside Trees) and require a permit from the county Department of Transportation before any cutting, trimming, or removal work is performed. A concurrent permit from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is also required for roadside tree work under the state Roadside Tree Law (Natural Resources Article 5-406). Private trees on residential property can generally be trimmed without a government permit, as long as the work does not kill the tree and does not involve a specimen tree protected under the Forest Conservation Law (Chapter 22A). Utility companies including Pepco and BGE maintain their own trimming rights along power line corridors.
Gaithersburg Tree Trimming Regulations
Some RestrictionsMontgomery County DOT – Roadside Tree Protection Law; Street Tree Protection Law 41-12
MCDOT Division of Highway Services maintains over 250,000 trees in the dedicated county right of way and another 200,000 in rural areas. Any tree growing in a street right-of-way is a county-owned tree. Note that it is not always obvious where the street right-of-way ends and private property begins. The line can be several feet into a front yard beyond the edge of the sidewalk or street. The c...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Gaithersburg requires a permit from the city manager before removing, relocating or topping any tree on private property. Trees under two-inch caliper and utility safety trimming are exempt. Chapter 22 forest conservation review applies first when it triggers.
Gaithersburg Tree Removal Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsGaithersburg City Code § 21-10
Sec. 21-10. - Permit required for removal of trees on private property. It is unlawful for any person to remove, relocate or top any tree on private property within the city without first having received a permit for the same from the city manager. The provisions of Chapter 22, "trees and forest conservation," if applicable, must be complied with prior to the issuance of a permit pursuant to th...
Weed Ordinances
Gaithersburg property owners and occupants must keep grass and weeds under ten inches tall. The rule sits in the city's health and sanitation chapter, enforced with a written notice to abate and, if ignored, city abatement at the owner's expense plus a separate municipal infraction fine.
Gaithersburg Maximum Grass and Weed Height
Some RestrictionsGaithersburg City Code § 12-5
No person shall permit or allow any grass or weeds to grow on any land owned or occupied by him to a height in excess of ten inches above the ground.
Looking for Montgomery County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Gaithersburg city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Montgomery County →