Landscaping Rules in Lakeville, MN (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Lakeville, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Lakeville requires a tree preservation plan approved by the city forester before land disturbance or tree removal on properties tied to a subdivision, site plan, or new residential construction under City Code section 11-21-11. In residential districts a developer can clear up to forty percent of a lot's significant tree diameter inches without replacement, but every inch removed beyond that threshold triggers mandatory replacement planting or a cash fee.
Lakeville Tree Preservation Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsLakeville City Code § 11-21-11.D.1, F.2.a
D. Implementation, Administration, and Compliance: 1. No land disturbance or removal of trees shall occur within properties subject to the provisions of this section until a tree preservation plan and tree replacement plan has been approved by the city forester. ... ... F. Allowed Tree Removal: ... ... 2. Residential Districts: a. Development in residential districts may remove or disturb up to...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Lakeville, Minnesota, City Code section 4-1-3 makes weeds or grass over eight inches (8") tall a public nuisance on any lot with a building. After seven days' written notice, the city can mow the lot itself and assess the cutting cost against the property under Minnesota Statutes section 429.061.
Lakeville Caps Lawn Weeds and Grass at 8 Inches
Some RestrictionsLakeville City Code § 4-1-3
4-1-3: LENGTH OF WEEDS AND GRASS: ... A. Pervasive weeds or grass in excess of eight inches (8") in length shall be declared a public nuisance and is prohibited on the following properties: 1. On any lot with a building. ... ... C. After giving the owner or occupant of a property not in compliance with the length limitation for grass and weeds seven (7) days' advance written notice of the nonco...
Water Restrictions
In the City of Lakeville, Minnesota, City Code section 7-5-12-2 sets an odd/even sprinkling schedule every year from May 1 through September 30: addresses with odd numbers water on odd calendar days and even addresses water on even days, and no one may irrigate lawns or sod with city water between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. any day.
Lakeville, MN Sprinkling and Irrigation Restrictions
Some RestrictionsLakeville City Code §§ 7-5-12-2 to 7-5-12-4
7-5-12-2: ANNUAL WATER USE RESTRICTIONS: ... To conserve water resources and allow the city's water system flexibility in meeting peak demands, certain limitations must be placed on the city's water supply. A. An odd/even sprinkling restriction based on street addresses is in effect from May 1 to September 30 each year. Residents with odd numbered addresses may water on odd numbered calendar da...
Native Plants
Lakeville homeowners in residential districts can grow native grasses and forbs taller than the normal eight inch height limit by obtaining a natural landscaping permit from the Zoning Administrator under City Code section 11-21-7.C. The application must describe the plant species, include a maintenance plan, and identify wetlands or drainage easements on the lot, and any natural landscaping must be set back ten feet from the street and five feet from interior lot lines.
Lakeville Natural Landscaping Permit
Some RestrictionsLakeville City Code § 11-21-7.C
C. Natural Landscaping: Any owner or occupant of a lot or parcel within a residential district established by section 11-45-1 of this title desiring natural landscaping may apply for a natural landscaping permit where native grasses and forbs may exceed eight inches (8") in height, subject to the review and approval by the Zoning Administrator; provided, that: ... ... 2. Setbacks. Natural lands...
Composting
In the City of Lakeville, Minnesota, backyard compost structures and neatly stacked firewood are allowed as accessory uses only in rear yards and must sit back 10 feet from all property lines under City Code section 11-18-7(G), with no permit or size limit tied to the accessory-structure count.
Lakeville Backyard Compost Pile Rules
Light RestrictionsLakeville City Code § 11-18-7(G)
G. Compost Structures And Firewood Piles: Compost structures and firewood neatly stacked shall be considered accessory uses, shall be limited to rear yards and shall be set back ten feet (10') from all property lines, but shall not be subject to limitations applicable to the number of allowed accessory structures or individual area and total area allowed for accessory structures by this section.