Landscaping Rules in Minneapolis, MN (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Minneapolis, Minnesota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Minneapolis requires property owners to trim trees and vegetation overhanging public walkways and streets, maintaining seven feet of clearance over sidewalks and fourteen feet over roadways, enforced by the Regulatory Services Division under the housing maintenance code.
Minneapolis Tree Trimming Over Sidewalks and Streets
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.1580
no person shall allow any bushes, trees or other vegetation to remain on any portion of private property which that person controls, when such vegetation is overhanging public premises unless said vegetation is cut back so as to maintain the following clearances: A clearance of seven (7) feet shall be maintained over pedestrian walkways and a clearance of fourteen (14) feet shall be maintained ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Minneapolis requires a vegetation permit before clearing trees, shrubs, or other vegetation in shore impact zones, bluff impact zones, wetland buffers, and other sensitive areas of the Mississippi River Corridor Critical Area Overlay District; unpermitted clearing is a misdemeanor.
Minneapolis River Corridor Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis Code of Ordinances, Title 20 (Zoning Code), § 535.1690(c)
(c)Activities allowed with a vegetation permit.(1)Only the following intensive vegetation clearing activities are allowed with a vegetation permit:a.Clearing of vegetation that is dead, diseased and or infested, dying, or hazardous.b.Clearing to prevent the spread of diseases or insect pests.c.Clearing to remove invasive non-native species.
Weed Ordinances
Minneapolis enforces an 8-inch vegetation limit under Chapter 227 plus the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law (Statutes 18.76 to 18.91). Wild parsnip, Canada thistle, and other listed noxious weeds must be controlled.
Minneapolis Weed Ordinances
Heavy RestrictionsMinn. Stat. § 18.75
It is the policy of the legislature that residents of the state be protected from the injurious effects of noxious weeds on public health, the environment, public roads, crops, livestock, and other property.
Water Restrictions
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 509.1400 lets the city engineer bar irrigation and other water draws from city mains during a declared water-shortage emergency, with the specific restrictions set by that declaration.
Minneapolis Emergency Water Use Restrictions
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis Code of Ordinances § 509.1400
During any period of emergency caused by shortage of water supply or lowering of water pressure in the water mains of the city, no person shall draw or use water from the city water mains or the city water distribution system other than as permitted by the declaration of emergency.
Rainwater Harvesting
Minneapolis zoning code caps rain barrels and cisterns in required side and rear yards at 4 feet tall for one-, two-, and three-family homes, 6 feet for other uses, with a two-unit limit per yard.
Minneapolis Rain Barrel Size Limits
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis Code of Ordinances § 540.890, Table 540-22
Rain barrels and cisterns accessory to single-, two-, or three-family dwellings shall be limited to a maximum height of four (4) feet and a maximum width of two and one-half (2.5) feet. Rain barrels and cisterns accessory to any other residential use and nonresidential uses shall be limited to a maximum height of six (6) feet and a maximum width of three (3) feet. No more than two (2) rain barr...
Native Plants
Minneapolis property owners may install and maintain a managed natural landscape of native plants, meadow vegetation, or rain gardens, exempting it from the city's eight-inch weed and grass height nuisance rule.
Minneapolis Managed Natural Landscape Right
Few RestrictionsMinneapolis Code of Ordinances § 227.90(a)-(b)
Except as part of a managed natural landscape as defined in this section, any weeds or grass growing upon any lot or parcel of land in the city to a greater height than eight (8) inches...are hereby declared to be a nuisance condition... An owner, authorized agent, or authorized occupant of any privately owned lands or premises may, consistent with this subsection and all other applicable laws,...
Composting
Minneapolis caps backyard compost piles at 15 cubic yards, requires an enclosed, durable container, and sets placement limits: off the rear line, out of required yards, and 20 feet from neighboring homes.
Minneapolis Backyard Composting Bin Rules
Some RestrictionsMinneapolis Code of Ordinances § 244.770
(c) Size. The maximum size for a compost area on lots with a residential structure shall be fifteen (15) cubic yards... (d) Location on property. The compost container(s) shall not be located closer than one (1) foot from the rear property line and shall not be located in any required front or side yard as defined in the zoning code, nor closer than twenty (20) feet to any habitable building of...
Looking for Hennepin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Minneapolis city rules.
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