Landscaping Rules in Lacey, WA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Lacey, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Lacey, Washington, branches that overhang a sidewalk must be pruned to ten feet of clearance and branches over a street to fourteen feet. The owner of the adjacent private property carries that duty, and the city forester can declare a noncompliant tree a public nuisance and have it abated at the owner's cost.
Lacey WA Tree Trimming Over Sidewalks and Streets
Some RestrictionsLacey Municipal Code § 12.20.040
A. Responsibilities of Adjacent Property Owners. Any person, persons, community association or corporation in possession of private property adjacent to public rights-of-way shall maintain any trees upon private property which may affect public right-of-way, in a safe, healthy condition in compliance with the provisions of this chapter. Adjacent property owners have the following routine tree m...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Lacey, no one can harvest timber or clear land without a land clearing permit, a development approval that covers the work, or an exemption notice from the Community and Economic Development director. A homeowner can remove no more than three trees in any sixty consecutive months under the individual lot exemption, and only after the city issues that exemption.
Tree Removal Permits in the City of Lacey, Washington
Some RestrictionsLacey Municipal Code §§ 14.32.040, 14.32.050
No person, corporation, or other legal entity shall engage in timber harvesting or cause land clearing in the city without having complied with one of the following: A. Received a land clearing permit from the director under the provisions of LMC 14.32.060; ... C. Having received an exemption from the director under the provisions of LMC 14.32.050. In such cases an exemption notice shall be req...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Lacey, Washington, Lacey Municipal Code § 9.52.010 declares hazardous vegetation such as poison oak, poison ivy and tansy a nuisance, and so is dry grass or weeds whose height or density is a fire hazard. The code prints no height in inches. Failing to correct by the city's date is a misdemeanor.
Lacey WA Weeds, Noxious Plants and Overgrown Vegetation
Some RestrictionsLacey Municipal Code § 9.52.010
D. The existence of hazardous vegetation, such as poison oak, poison ivy, deadly nightshade, tansy, ragwort or any similar noxious or toxic weed or plant which is allowed to grow on any property; ... F. The existence of dry grass, weeds, shrubs, trees or other vegetation on property which because of its height or density constitutes a fire hazard or which overhangs any sidewalk, street, or abut...
Water Restrictions
In the City of Lacey, Washington, the water department sets the sprinkling hours and controls any use of water for other than domestic purposes, and it can change those rules whenever the need arises. Ignoring them can cost you service, and a third violation is a class 2 civil infraction with a maximum fine of $125.00.
Lacey WA Sprinkling Hours and Water Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLacey Municipal Code § 13.48.010
The sprinkling hours and use of water for other than domestic purposes shall be under the jurisdiction of the water department of the city and shall be subject to change from time to time if the need arises. The failure to adhere to all rules established by the water department of the city in regard to restricted use of water shall be cause to discontinue service. A third violation by any perso...
Rainwater Harvesting
In the City of Lacey, Washington, the Lacey Municipal Code does not require or ban rainwater harvesting citywide. The only rule that names it is the Woodland District design toolbox in LMC 16.24.080, which lists rainwater harvesting among low impact development techniques and encourages it for roof runoff in urban mixed-use and residential settings.
Rainwater Harvesting in Lacey's Woodland District
Light RestrictionsLacey Municipal Code § 16.24.080
1. Low Impact Development Approaches (LIDA). LIDA design options are described in Table 16.24.080-1. A stormwater management and land-development strategy applied at the scale of the block and the scale of the parcel that emphasizes conservation and use of on-site natural features integrated with engineered, small-scale hydrologic controls to more closely mimic predevelopment hydrologic functio...
Native Plants
In the City of Lacey, Washington, required landscaping must use native regional plant materials or materials that complement the natural character of the Pacific Northwest. Each landscaping type in Lacey Municipal Code § 16.80.050 must be native and drought tolerant, apart from trees on the city's street tree list, and existing natural vegetation can count toward the requirement.
Lacey WA Native Plant Landscaping Requirements
Some RestrictionsLacey Municipal Code § 16.80.070
The applicant shall utilize native regional plant materials or plant materials that complement the natural character of the Pacific Northwest.
Looking for Thurston County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lacey city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Thurston County →