Landscaping Rules in Montgomery, AL (2026)
3 verified landscaping rules for Montgomery, Alabama, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Anyone pruning or cutting trees for hire anywhere in Montgomery needs a permit from the city's urban forester, and construction crews working near a city tree's roots must fence off the drip line first. The rules apply whenever work touches the root zone of a city tree or one required by another ordinance.
Montgomery, Alabama Tree Trimming Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsMontgomery City Code § 12-165(a)(9), (e)(2)
Perform the pruning, cutting, or removal of any tree within the city for hire or for profit without a permit issued by the urban forester. ... Beginning January 2, 2008, any person or company in the business of conducting tree work will be required to obtain a permit for tree work from the urban forester. ... Permitting cost is $5.00 per job. ... Permits shall be valid for 90 days.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Cutting, removing or damaging a city tree, or a private tree required by another city ordinance, is illegal in Montgomery without a permit from the urban forester. The city will only remove its own trees for specific reasons: hazard, sight-distance problems, invasive species, or a documented safety threat.
Montgomery, Alabama Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMontgomery City Code § 12-165(a)(1), (b)(3), (f)(3)
Break, injure, mutilate, burn, kill, remove, destroy, cut, top, girdle, or otherwise damage (including the root system) any city tree or private tree required by city ordinance, without first obtaining a permit from the city's urban forester. ... The tree is recognized by the state forestry commission as an exotic/invasive species. ... Mitigation fees shall be calculated at a rate of $62.50 for...
Weed Ordinances
Montgomery caps grass and weeds at 12 inches on any property inside the city, including lots that abut city streets. Overgrown growth that hides pests, poses a fire risk, or is simply unsightly is declared a public nuisance the city can abate and bill back to the owner.
Montgomery, Alabama Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsMontgomery City Code § 12-61
It shall be unlawful and declared a nuisance and injurious to public health, safety and general welfare for any occupant, owner, lessee, or person in control of any property within the city or any occupant, owner, lessee or person in control whose property abuts city streets to allow an abundance of overgrown grass or weeds to exist if any of the following conditions are met: ... (6) if not gro...