Landscaping Rules in Lynnwood, WA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Lynnwood, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Lynnwood's landscaping maintenance code requires branches to be trimmed to at least six feet of clearance above the ground so sightlines and walkways stay open, rising to eight feet wherever a branch overhangs a driveway, parking lot or other vehicular use area, as an ongoing duty tied to every approved landscape plan.
Lynnwood Street Tree Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code § 8.40.0220(C)(6)
Tree branches must be trimmed to provide a minimum of six feet of clearance measured from the ground to the branch to prevent sight and pedestrian obstructions. Tree branches must be trimmed to provide eight feet of clearance when overhanging vehicular use areas.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a tree anywhere in Lynnwood requires a tree removal permit under LMC 17.15.100 unless a narrow exemption applies. Significant trees, six inches or more in diameter, trigger replacement requirements measured in tree units, and violations can bring stop-work orders, civil penalties, and a $25.00-per-day fine for noncompliance.
Lynnwood Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code §§ 17.15.080(A), 17.15.100, 17.15.100(C)
A "significant tree" shall be any tree that is at least six inches in D.B.H., and not included on the list in subsection (B) of this section. ... Except as otherwise provided in LMC 17.15.150, it shall be unlawful for any person to remove a tree within the city of Lynnwood without having first obtained a valid tree removal permit. ... A tree removal permit issued pursuant to this chapter shall ...
Weed Ordinances
Lynnwood, Washington declares residential lawn grass a public nuisance once it grows past eight inches, under Lynnwood Municipal Code § 10.08.200(B)(12)(c). City officers can order the owner to cut it, and every 24 hours it stays uncut past the deadline counts as a separate violation of the code.
Lynnwood Yard Grass Height Nuisance Limit
Some RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code § 10.08.200(B)(12)(c)
12. Vegetation left uncut and/or in an unkempt condition to the extent it creates safety or fire hazards, and/or pest harborages, or otherwise interferes with, annoys, injures or endangers the comfort, repose, health or safety of others, or obstructs or tends to obstruct, or renders dangerous for passage, any sidewalk, street or highway; or in any way renders other persons insecure in life, or ...
Water Restrictions
During a water shortage, Lynnwood's water utility can forbid, restrict or ration irrigation, cooling and other water uses citywide or by customer class under LMC 13.16.030. Wasting water on irrigation beyond what is reasonably necessary is separately prohibited year-round under LMC 13.16.020.
Lynnwood Water Shortage Irrigation Limits
Some RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code § 13.16.030
In case of shortage of water, the utility may give preference in furnishing water to customers, in order most effectively to safeguard the safety and health of the general public or to provide for the public convenience, may forbid, restrict, or regulate the use of water for irrigation, cooling, or other uses, may make the regulations effective throughout the city, the districts thereof, or may...
Rainwater Harvesting
Lynnwood's Unified Development Code lets rain barrels of 50 gallons or less project up to two feet into a required street or interior setback, the same limited encroachment allowed for gutters, eaves, and cornices, under LMC 8.30.0940(D)(1).
Lynnwood Rain Barrel Setback Exemption
Light RestrictionsLynnwood Municipal Code § 8.30.0940(D)(1)
D. Exceptions. 1. Limited Encroachments Street and/or Interior Setbacks. The following are allowed to project no more than two feet into street and/or interior setbacks: a. Cornices. b. Eaves. c. Gutters (including rain barrels 50 gallons or less).
Looking for Snohomish County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lynnwood city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Snohomish County →