Landscaping Rules in Louisville, KY (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Louisville, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Louisville Metro's tree ordinance makes the abutting property owner responsible for maintaining public trees along streets and sidewalks, and requires a Division of Community Forestry permit before most pruning, encroachment, or removal work on them.
Louisville Metro Public Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances §§ 102.04, 102.06(A)
Tree maintenance of public trees shall be the responsibility of the abutting property owner. ... A permit shall be obtained from the Division prior to planting, tree maintenance, tree encroachment, tree removal or replacement of a public tree in accordance with this chapter and Division standards, except as stated in § 102.07.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Louisville Metro requires a tree removal permit only on non-residential and multi-family development sites where landscaping and tree canopy standards apply, not for trees in a single-family yard.
Louisville Development Site Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Land Development Code, Ch. 10 Part 1, § 10.1.8 (Tree Removal Permit)
A tree removal permit is required for the removal of existing trees on non-residential and multi-family development sites where landscaping and tree canopy were/are required. (see Appendix 10E)
Weed Ordinances
Louisville Metro caps weeds and grass at 10 inches on improved lots and bans noxious weeds outright, under the Property Maintenance Code.
Louisville Metro 10-Inch Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 156.052(D)
All premises shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of ten inches. All 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.
Rainwater Harvesting
Louisville Metro allows rain barrels and cisterns, but the nuisance code treats any uncovered water-holding container as a mosquito-breeding hazard: screen it, treat it, or empty it every five days or face a citation.
Louisville Rain Barrels Must Be Mosquito-Proofed
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 96.14
It shall be unlawful to maintain any vacant lot or other premises within Louisville Metro on which any water is allowed to collect and lie stagnant in which mosquitoes breed, or are likely to breed. Any such premises or vacant lot is declared a nuisance and dangerous to the health of the people. (B) The collections of water referred to herein shall be held to be those contained in ditches,...
Native Plants
Louisville Metro lets property owners grow native plantings, meadow vegetation, prairie, or a rain garden above the normal 10-inch weed limit if the area meets setback, edging, mowing, and signage rules.
Louisville Managed Natural Landscape Rule
Some RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 156.052(E)
(E) Managed natural landscape. As an exception to section (D), an owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately-owned lands or premises may... install and maintain a managed natural landscape such as native plantings, meadow vegetation, prairie, or rain garden, as long as the following requirements are met: (1) At all times the managed landscape must remain in compliance with...
Composting
Louisville Metro exempts backyard compost piles and bins from facility licensing as long as the material on site stays under 20 cubic yards.
Louisville Backyard Composting Rules
Light RestrictionsLouisville Metro Code of Ordinances § 51.302(N)
Exclusions. These regulations shall not apply to backyard compost piles such as may be found in residential settings or small volume operations such as typically may be found at nurseries as long as the total accumulation of material, processed or unprocessed, on site does not exceed 20 cubic yards.