Landscaping Rules in Lee's Summit, MO (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Lee's Summit, Missouri, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Lee's Summit's Property Maintenance Code requires owners to treat, prune or remove any dead, dying or diseased tree, or portion of one, so it does not threaten adjoining private or public property. City Code § 16-204 folds this duty into IPMC § 302.10, and a Codes Official's correction order can escalate to a court fine schedule running from $50 up to $500 for repeat offenses.
Lee's Summit Tree Maintenance Rules
Some RestrictionsLee's Summit, MO, Code of Ordinances § 16-204 (IPMC § 302.10, as amended)
Sec. 16-204. - International Property Maintenance Code amended; Section 302 Exterior property areas. Section 302 Exterior Property Areas is hereby amended to add the following section: 302.10 Tree maintenance. Dead, dying or diseased trees, or portions thereof, shall be treated, pruned or removed so as not to pose a threat to adjoining private or public property.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Lee's Summit Code Section 30-51 lets the Director of Development Services order removal of any dead or diseased tree or shrub on private property that endangers life or property, or that could spread insects or disease to the City's other trees. Owners get written notice and a 10-day appeal window before removal costs shift to them.
Lee's Summit Dead Tree Removal Rules
Some RestrictionsLee's Summit, MO, Code of Ordinances § 30-51
The Director of Development Services or their designee shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees or shrubs on private property within the City, when such trees or shrubs constitute a hazard to life or property, or harbor insects or disease which constitute a potential threat to other trees, park trees or public trees within the City.
Weed Ordinances
Lee's Summit caps weeds and plant growth on any lot at 10 inches under Property Maintenance Code Sec. 16-203. The city can enter and cut violations after notice, billing the owner for the cost, and can also prosecute; cultivated flowers, gardens, trees and shrubs are exempt from the height definition.
Lee's Summit 10-Inch Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsLee's Summit, MO, Code of Ordinances § 16-203 (IPMC § 302.4, as amended)
Section 302.4 shall be amended as follows: Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10". Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. Upon failure of the owner or agent h...
Water Restrictions
When drought or low system pressure threatens the water supply, the Mayor can issue a water emergency proclamation under Code Sec. 10-21 limiting City water to essential household and business use only. Violating the proclamation or the resulting operating procedure is a misdemeanor citable under Sec. 1-13.
Lee's Summit Water Emergency Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsLee's Summit, MO, Code of Ordinances § 10-21
Whenever the water supply in the City is low, or whenever the pressure maintained in the water storage facilities or water mains of the City is low, due to conditions of drought or other emergencies that may arise, it shall be the duty of the Mayor to issue a water emergency proclamation stating the facts and prohibiting any person from using the City water for any purpose other than for essent...
Native Plants
Lee's Summit exempts approved native-plant landscaping from its rank-weed rules. Sec. 30-36 lets a property owner cultivate a 'planned natural landscape' of native species instead of mowed turf, but only after Sec. 30-37 approval from the Director of Codes Administration, using species listed in Sec. 30-38.
Lee's Summit Native Plant Landscaping Rule
Some RestrictionsLee's Summit, MO, Code of Ordinances § 30-36
A.Exception is made to the rank weed plant species defined in Chapter 16, Lee's Summit Property Maintenance Code, as follows:1.For the use of native plants, as listed or referenced in Section 30-38;2.Within a planned natural landscape approved under provisions of Section 30-37;3.On land approved for commercial or industrial use under the provisions of the Unified Development Ordinance.B.A plann...
Composting
Lee's Summit allows residential composting under Sec. 16-216, but caps each bin at 150 cubic feet per 10,000 square feet of lot, 5 feet tall, and bans food scraps, meat and animal products; piles must sit at least 3 feet from side or rear lines and 20 feet from a neighbor's home or pool.
Lee's Summit Backyard Compost Bin Rules
Some RestrictionsLee's Summit, MO, Code of Ordinances Sec. 16-216 (IPMC § 308.4)
Section 308.4 Composting is added as follows: A.Maintenance. All compost piles shall be maintained using approved composting procedures to comply with the following requirements:1.All compost piles shall be enclosed in a free-standing compost bin. Each compost bin shall be no larger in volume than one hundred fifty (150) cubic feet for properties ten thousand (10,000) square feet and less in lo...
Looking for Jackson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lee's Summit city rules.
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