Landscaping Rules in New York, NY (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for New York, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
All street and park trees in New York City are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Parks and Recreation. Administrative Code Sec. 18-129 makes it unlawful to cut, remove, or in any way destroy a tree on public property without written consent from the Commissioner, punishable as a misdemeanor by up to a $15,000 fine and one year in jail, plus a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per violation.
City consent needed to prune street trees; big fines
Heavy RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code Sec. 18-129(a)-(b) (Fines for unlawful cutting of trees on department property)
Sec. 18-129 Fines for unlawful cutting of trees on department property. a. It shall be unlawful for any individual, firm, corporation, agent, employee or person under the control of such individual, firm or corporation to cut, remove or in any way destroy or cause to be destroyed, any tree or other form of vegetation on public property under the jurisdiction of the commissioner without acquirin...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a street or park tree in New York City requires the written consent of the Parks Commissioner under Administrative Code Sec. 18-129. Unauthorized removal is a misdemeanor (up to $15,000 fine and one year in jail) plus a civil penalty of up to $10,000 per tree, and offenders can be barred from obtaining tree-work consent for up to two years.
Removing a City tree needs Parks consent; per-tree penalties
Heavy RestrictionsNew York City Administrative Code Sec. 18-129(a)-(b) (Fines for unlawful cutting of trees on department property)
Sec. 18-129 Fines for unlawful cutting of trees on department property. a. It shall be unlawful for any individual, firm, corporation, agent, employee or person under the control of such individual, firm or corporation to cut, remove or in any way destroy or cause to be destroyed, any tree or other form of vegetation on public property under the jurisdiction of the commissioner without acquirin...
Weed Ordinances
New York City Health Code section 181.11 flatly bars any owner, occupant, or person in charge of a lot or premises from letting poison ivy, ragweed, or other poisonous or allergenic weeds grow there. The Health Department enforces it through OATH.
NYC Bans Poison Ivy and Ragweed on Any Lot
Significant RestrictionsNYC Health Code (24 RCNY) §181.11
§181.11 Growing of poison ivy and ragweed prohibited. No person who owns, occupies or is in charge of a lot or premises shall cause or allow poison ivy, ragweed, or other poisonous or allergenic weed to grow on such lot or premises
Water Restrictions
New York City imposes year-round outdoor water-use rules under 15 RCNY Sec. 20-08. Using a hose, automatic sprinkler, or other means to water lawns or gardens is prohibited between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and from November 1 through March 31 hose, sprinkler, and lawn/garden watering with City water is banned except hand-watering of non-turf plants.
No lawn watering 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; none Nov-Mar
Some RestrictionsRules of the City of New York, Title 15, Sec. 20-08(a)(6) (Water Use Restrictions)
(6) Watering of lawns and gardens. (i) The use of a hose, automatic sprinkler or other means to water lawns or gardens is prohibited between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Automatic irrigation systems shall include a sensor or control which shall prevent operation during or within 24 hours of substantial rain. (ii) Between the first day of November and the last day of the following March...
Rainwater Harvesting
New York City lets homeowners use rain barrels without a permit, but larger on-site rainwater collection and reuse systems must be designed, permitted, and kept on the same tax lot under the NYC Plumbing Code.
NYC Rainwater Collection Systems: Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsNew York City Plumbing Code § PC 1301.1 (enacted by NYC Administrative Code § 28-601.2)
The provisions of Chapter 13 shall govern the materials, design, construction and installation of systems for the collection, storage, treatment and conveyance of nonpotable water. ... Water from nonpotable systems shall be collected, stored, treated, conveyed and used on the same tax lot unless otherwise approved by the commissioner. The following water recycling uses are not addressed in this...