Landscaping Rules in Las Cruces, NM (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Las Cruces, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Las Cruces sets no numeric grass-height limit. Instead, noxious weeds and rank, overgrown vegetation are a nuisance under Municipal Code Sec. 18-2, enforced complaint-first by Codes Enforcement.
Las Cruces Grass Height and Overgrown Vegetation
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances ch. 18, Sec. 18-2 (Nuisances)
Noxious weeds and other rank vegetation... maintaining, using, placing, depositing, leaving or permitting to be or remain on any public or private property... is declared to be and constitute a nuisance.
Tree Trimming
Las Cruces requires property owners to trim trees over any street or sidewalk to at least eight feet of clearance. Residents may not cut, trim, or remove city trees in public grounds.
Las Cruces Tree Trimming and Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances ch. 26 (Streets and Sidewalks)
It shall be the duty of the owner of any property which abuts or is adjacent to any public way to trim all trees located on such property or on the parkway adjacent to such property to a minimum height of eight feet above any street, sidewalk, or other public way.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Las Cruces homeowners may remove trees on their own property without a permit. The only restriction is on public and street trees, which under Chapter 26 only the city may cut down, remove, or alter.
Las Cruces Tree Removal Rules for Homeowners
Few RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Las Cruces treats noxious weeds and rank vegetation as a nuisance under Municipal Code Sec. 18-2. On vacant lots, clearing must be limited to mowing or hoeing weeds; scraping the whole lot bare is prohibited for dust control.
Las Cruces Weed Control and Abatement Ordinance
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Land Development Code Sec. 32-302(c)(2) (Wind erosion control); Municipal Code Sec. 18-2
For all vacant or undeveloped lots, weed eradication is limited to removal of specific weeds only through mowing or hoeing and not the removal of natural vegetation. Clearing of the entire lot is prohibited.
Water Restrictions
Las Cruces limits outdoor watering by address: even addresses water Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; odd addresses Wednesday, Friday, Sunday; never Monday. From April 1 to September 30, no watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Las Cruces Outdoor Watering Days and Water Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances ch. 28 (Water Conservation Ordinance, Ord. No. 2722); Water Conservation Regulations
All outdoor vegetation on residential and commercial properties located (i) at an even numbered street address shall be watered only on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, and (ii) at an odd numbered address shall be watered only on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Las Cruces. Residents may capture roof runoff in barrels, cisterns, or swales with no permit and no water right required, and the city's water-waste rules exempt natural rainfall.
Las Cruces Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Las Cruces recommends indigenous and drought-tolerant plants for all landscaping and requires new commercial and multifamily development to landscape at least 15% of parking area. Single-family homes on individual lots are exempt.
Las Cruces Native and Drought-Tolerant Plant Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Land Development Code Sec. 32-266(b) and Sec. 32-277 (Development Standards for Landscaping)
The style of landscape is not described; however, indigenous or drought tolerant plants are recommended.
Artificial Turf
Las Cruces does not ban or permit-regulate residential artificial turf. Synthetic grass is a permitted water-saving landscaping option, and the city offers no turf-replacement rebate program.