Landscaping Rules in Harrisburg, PA (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the property owner must trim branches of street shade trees so they do not block any traffic control device or streetlight and leave 15 feet of clear height above the street or sidewalk. Trimming a shade tree also needs a Department permit.
Harrisburg PA Tree Trimming and 15 Foot Street Clearance
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances §§ 10-101.3, 10-101.12
§ 10-101.3. Cost of maintenance. The responsibility for and cost and expense of maintaining, trimming and caring for shade trees after having been planted shall be borne by the owners of the property in front of which such shade trees are situated (hereinafter "property owner"); provided, however, that this section shall not apply to owner-occupants over the age of 65. § 10-101. ... 12. Trimmin...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, no one can plant, cut, trim, or remove a street shade tree without a permit from the Department of Parks, Recreation and Enrichment. The Department can require a replacement tree at the applicant's expense, and it orders removal itself for dead, diseased, or pavement-lifting trees.
Harrisburg PA Street Tree Removal Permit and Replacement Rules
Significant RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances §§ 10-101.4, 10-101.6, 10-101.17
§ 10-101.4. Permits. A. Without having first obtained a permit from the Department to do so, no person shall: (1) Plant, cut, trim, or remove any shade tree under the jurisdiction of the Department; ... § 10-101.6. Replacement of removed trees. As a condition to any permit to remove any shade tree, the Department may require that the applicant plant, at the applicant's expense, another tree in ...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, § 3-363.2 requires all premises and exterior property to be maintained free from tall grass and weeds in excess of 18 inches and prohibits noxious weeds of any height. The Property Maintenance Code the City adopted prints a lower figure, 10 inches, in Section 302.4 as amended by § 8-107.3.
Weed and Grass Height Limits in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 3-363.2; § 8-107.3
§ 3-363.2. Prohibition. ... All premises and exterior property within the City shall be maintained free from tall grass and weeds in excess of 18 inches. Noxious weeds of any height are hereby prohibited. ... § 302.4 Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all g...
Composting
The City of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania runs a mandatory, free composting program. Leaves, branches and other items designated as yard waste, except grass clippings, must be source separated and collected for organics recycling or composting, and the Director of Public Works designates the accepted materials.
Harrisburg PA Composting Program Rules
Some RestrictionsHarrisburg Codified Ordinances § 9-307.1
§ 9-307.1. Composting materials. ... Materials such as leaves, branches, and any other items designated as yard waste with the exception of grass clippings shall be source separated and collected for organics recycling or composting. Designated composting materials for the composting program established pursuant to this chapter shall be determined by the rules and regulations promulgated by the...