Landscaping Rules in Owensboro, KY (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Owensboro, Kentucky, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Owensboro, adjoining property owners must prune trees and shrubs in the street lawn or right-of-way to keep traffic control devices visible and to leave clear overhead space for cars and pedestrians on the abutting street or sidewalk. Letting growth block that clearance is a code violation.
Tree Clearance Over Owensboro Streets
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Municipal Code § 5-161
(a)Responsibility of Adjoining Property Owners. ... Adjoining property owners shall prune permitted trees and shrubs to improve visibility of traffic control devices, comply with sight visibility requirements, and provide sufficient overhead clearance for vehicular and pedestrian traffic on adjoining streets and sidewalks. ... (b)It shall be unlawful for a property owner, resident, tenant, occu...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Owensboro, Sec. 5-160(b) bars anyone but the city from cutting, poisoning or damaging a tree or shrub on city property, a street lawn or public right-of-way, and reserves all removal in the downtown core to the city and its contractors. The city horticulturist's decisions are appealable to the city manager and city commission.
Owensboro Right-of-Way Tree Removal Rules
Significant RestrictionsOwensboro Municipal Code § 5-160(b)
(b)Tree Removal and Maintenance; Restrictions in Downtown Core Area; Appeals:(1)It shall be unlawful for any person to cut, carve, poison by use of any gaseous liquid, herbicide, or other toxic substance harmful to trees, transplant, temporarily or permanently attach any signs, boards, or other items excluding tree support devices, or damage any trees or shrubs located on city property, any str...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Owensboro, Sec. 5-137(b)(20) sets the default nuisance threshold for weeds and grass at ten inches or more, applying citywide except to flowers or maintained ornamental vegetation. Code enforcement can cite, and the Property Maintenance Code Enforcement Board can fine and order abatement.
Owensboro Max Weed and Grass Height
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Municipal Code § 5-137(b)(20)
(20)Weeds and Grass. The excessive growth of weeds, grass, or other vegetation, except flowers or other ornamental vegetation, which are properly maintained. Unless otherwise provided, "excessive" shall mean growth to a height of ten (10) inches or more.
Water Restrictions
In the City of Owensboro, Owensboro Municipal Utilities can declare a four-phase water shortage under Owensboro Municipal Code Sec. 26-61 whenever supply runs tight. Phase 2, the Alert Phase, limits outdoor watering to Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays for odd-numbered addresses and Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays for even-numbered addresses. Phase 3 halts outside water use entirely, and Phase 4 rationing sets per-resident gallon allotments under Sec. 26-62. Violators can lose water service, with reconnection fees running $50 to $300.
Owensboro Water Shortage Watering Rules
Some RestrictionsOwensboro Municipal Code § 26-61
(d)Phase 2, Alert Phase. Whenever Owensboro Municipal Utilities finds that a condition exists where it will not be able to meet the expected needs of its customers, in like manner as subsection (c) above OMU shall publicly declare a water shortage alert, calling upon all OMU customers to employ voluntary water conservation to eliminate the waste of potable water and to restrict outside water us...
Composting
Owensboro doesn't ban home composting, but § 5-137(b)(4) makes a compost pile a public nuisance if it spreads disease, smells, emits harmful gas, or attracts rodents or other pests; simply hosting earthworms doesn't count against you.
Owensboro Compost Pile Nuisance Rule
Light RestrictionsOwensboro Municipal Code § 5-137(b)(4)
(4)Compost Piles. Any compost pile which is of such a nature as to spread or harbor disease, emit unreasonable, unpleasant odors or harmful gas, or attract rodents, vermin or other disease-carrying pests, animals or insects, provided that the presence of earthworms in a compost pile shall not constitute a nuisance;
Looking for Daviess County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Owensboro city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Daviess County →