Landscaping Rules in Overland Park, KS (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Overland Park, Kansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Overland Park requires 8 feet of tree and shrub clearance over public sidewalks, 13.5 feet over improved thoroughfares or truck routes, and 12.5 feet over all other streets, plus fixed setbacks from fireplugs, signs, light poles and box culverts.
Overland Park Sets Tree Clearance Over Streets
Some RestrictionsOverland Park Municipal Code § 7.16.150(A)-(B)
A. No Tree or Shrub shall be planted in the Right-of-way within a distance of: 1. 10 feet of any fireplug 2. 15 feet of any regulatory sign 3. 20 feet of any street light pole 4. 10 feet of any box culvert. B. The minimum height clearances for Trees and Shrubs are: 1. 8 feet over public sidewalks 2. 13.5 feet over improved thoroughfares or designated truck routes 3. 12.5 feet over all other Str...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Homeowners may remove trees from their own property without a city permit. Overland Park's tree rules cover right-of-way and public trees, nuisance abatement, and development landscaping plans. Single-family zoning districts are excluded from the landscape plan requirement.
No homeowner tree removal permit in Overland Park
Few RestrictionsOverland Park Municipal Code § 18.450.040 (Landscaping Plan Required)
All plans submitted in support of a final development plan, site plan, building permit or site development permit, except for any residential use in Districts RE, R-1, RP-1, R-1A, RP-1A and R-2, shall include a landscaping plan signed by a registered landscape architect.
Weed Ordinances
The Weed and Vegetation Enforcement Act caps uncontrolled vegetation at eight inches. Owners get ten days from mailing of a certified notice to self-abate. The city then mows and assesses costs plus an administrative fee, collected as a special assessment on the property tax roll.
Eight-inch limit, ten-day notice, city mows and liens
Heavy RestrictionsOverland Park Mun. Code § 7.20.120(D)
Excessive Growth of Vegetation shall mean any grasses, dandelions, herbaceous plants or vines or other uncontrolled or uncultivated vegetation that is more than eight (8") inches in height above the ground or in length if matted down as measured along the stem.
Rainwater Harvesting
Property Maintenance Code section 7.25.302.13 permits rain barrels in residential districts without a permit. One barrel of roughly 65 gallons or less per downspout is allowed on any façade; larger or multiple barrels must sit behind the front building line and be screened.
Rain barrels expressly permitted; no permit, design rules apply
Few RestrictionsOverland Park Mun. Code § 7.25.302.13(a)
One rain barrel per each downspout is allowed on any residential building façade, when said rain barrel is: 1. Approximately 65 gallons or less in capacity; 2. Screened from view at grade or reasonably blends with the building's façade and surrounding landscaping/vegetation; 3. Located adjacent to the building envelope
Native Plants
Ordinance NU-3437 (2023) rewrote the Weed and Vegetation Enforcement Act to protect a Planned Sustainable Landscape from the eight-inch height rule. Native beds must be edged, set back three feet from side and rear lot lines, and free of turf grass and noxious weeds.
Native landscapes legal since 2023 under defined criteria
Some RestrictionsOverland Park Mun. Code § 7.20.190(E)(2)–(3)
The Planned Sustainable Landscape cannot contain Invasive Plants which are not Controlled, turf grass, or any Noxious Weeds. The landscape boundaries are clearly defined through edging or containment and no vegetation is encroaching onto a neighboring property.
Artificial Turf
Overland Park's municipal code contains no artificial or synthetic turf provision. The Weed and Vegetation Enforcement Act reaches only living vegetation, so synthetic lawns generate no weed-code violation. Private HOA covenants are the binding constraint across most Overland Park subdivisions.
City code silent on synthetic turf; HOAs decide
Few RestrictionsOverland Park Mun. Code § 18.110.345 (Landscape Material)
Landscape material means such living materials as trees, shrubs, ground cover, vines, turf grasses, and non-living materials such as rocks, pebbles, sand, bark, brick pavers, earthen mounds (excluding pavement), and other items of a decorative or embellishment nature such as fountains, pools, walls, fencing, sculpture, etc.
Looking for Johnson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Overland Park city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Johnson County →