Landscaping Rules in Oklahoma City, OK (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Oklahoma City property owners must trim trees and shrubs that overhang or obstruct any adjacent street, sidewalk, or streetlight.
Tree Trimming Over OKC Streets/Sidewalks
Some RestrictionsOklahoma City Municipal Code § 53-21(a)
The owner of every lot or parcel of land upon which any trees, shrubs, or plants are growing adjacent to any street, sidewalk, parking area or parkway shall trim the same or cause the same to be trimmed, whenever it grows in any lot or parcel of land lying between his property line and the pavement or traveled roadway, so that the vegetation shall not obstruct the passage of light from any ligh...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing, cutting, or trimming any tree, plant, or shrub on public property in Oklahoma City, including parkways and street rights-of-way, requires a permit from the City's enforcement officer under the Code of Forestry.
Oklahoma City Public Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsOklahoma City Municipal Code § 53-3
No person shall remove, destroy, break, cut, deface, trim, or in any way injure or interfere with any tree, plant, or shrub located on public property without a permit issued by the enforcement officer. All such removal or trimming shall be done in a manner that will not deface or injure the trees and the same shall be done in accordance with the directions of the enforcement officer. (Code ...
Weed Ordinances
Oklahoma City caps grass and weeds at 12 inches tall on any lot; taller growth is declared a public nuisance under the Municipal Code.
Grass and Weed Height Limit. Oklahoma City
Some Restrictions§ 35-61
Rank weeds means all vegetation at any state of maturity which: a. exceeds 12 inches in height, except healthy trees, shrubs, or produce for human consumption grown in a tended and cultivated garden unless such trees and shrubbery, by their density or location, constitute a detriment to the health, benefit and welfare of the public and community or a hazard to traffic or create a fire hazard to...
Water Restrictions
Oklahoma City's City Manager can declare mandatory water-use restrictions during shortages, main breaks, or pressure loss, and violators face Class A misdemeanor charges for every day of noncompliance.
Water Use Restrictions in Oklahoma City
Significant RestrictionsOklahoma City Municipal Code § 57-2
(f)Mandatory Water Use Restrictions. The City Manager is authorized to mandate water use restrictions whenever the City Manager deems that the use of water is adversely affecting or may adversely affect the public health, safety, or welfare. Such mandatory water use restrictions may prescribe, limit, suspend, restrict, condition or prohibit the times, place, manner and purpose of water use.
Rainwater Harvesting
Oklahoma City allows rain barrels and cisterns at home and community gardens, but caps visible above-ground tanks at 85 gallons unless screened from the street.
Rainwater Harvesting Rules in OKC
Some Restrictions§ 59-9350.51.1
Any home garden, community garden, roof garden, or urban farm may include equipment for the collection of rainwater to be used as a supplemental watering system, provided that the rainwater collection system conforms to the following provisions... Above ground storage containers shall not be allowed in front of the front building wall of the primary structure and shall not be visible from the p...
Composting
Oklahoma City's zoning code requires backyard compost piles in residential districts to sit in the rear yard, stay pest-free, and avoid odor and runoff violations under Section 59-9350.21.1.
Residential Composting Rules in Oklahoma City
Some Restrictions§ 59-9350.21.1
A.In Residential Districts R-1, R-1ZL, R-2, R-3, R-3M, R-4M, R-4, R-MH-1, or R-MH-2 Composting requirements shall be as follows:(1)Compost shall be located in the rear yard.B.Composting shall be managed and cared for to prevent infestation of insects, rats, vermin, other pests, and shall not be allowed to become trash as defined in Oklahoma State Statute Section 11-22-111. (Cleaning and Mowing ...