Landscaping Rules in Pasco, WA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Pasco, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
In Pasco, weeds, brush or uncultivated vegetation grown to a height of 12 inches or more above the ground is a public nuisance. The 12-inch threshold appears both in the Trees and Shrubs nuisance code (PMC 12.12.110) and is enforced by the city as a common code violation. Property owners must abate by cutting or removing the growth.
Pasco Grass Height & Overgrown Vegetation
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Pasco's Trees and Shrubs chapter (PMC 12.12) requires city permission to substantially prune trees or shrubs in the public planting strip or right-of-way, and prohibits abuse or mutilation of trees in public places. Property owners are responsible for maintaining vegetation on the abutting right-of-way and must keep it from overhanging sidewalks and streets.
Pasco Tree Trimming & Pruning
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Pasco regulates removal of trees in the public planting strip and right-of-way under PMC 12.12.080 (Permission to remove trees), which requires city permission. The city does not publish a general permit requirement for removing healthy trees on private property; private-yard trees are mainly limited by the nuisance and landscaping rules.
Pasco Tree Removal Rules
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Pasco treats weeds, noxious weeds and overgrown vegetation as public nuisances. Vegetation reaching 12 inches, creating a fire hazard, or encroaching on sidewalks or neighboring property must be abated. Separately, Washington's noxious-weed law (RCW 17.10) requires landowners to control state-listed noxious weeds, enforced locally by the Franklin County Noxious Weed Control Board (located in Pasco).
Pasco Weed Control Ordinance
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Pasco runs its own non-potable irrigation utility and asks customers to follow a voluntary watering schedule by address: even-numbered addresses water Tuesday, Thursday and/or Sunday; odd-numbered addresses water Monday, Wednesday and/or Saturday. The irrigation season typically runs April through October. PMC 13.85.180 prohibits wasting irrigation water.
Pasco Watering Schedule & Water Restrictions
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Pasco's Municipal Code does not specifically prohibit residential rainwater collection. Under Washington Department of Ecology policy, on-site use of rooftop-collected rainwater does not require a water-right permit, so capturing rain off a roof for outdoor use on the same property is generally allowed. Standard building and plumbing rules still apply to tanks and any indoor use.
Pasco Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Pasco encourages water-wise landscaping. Its landscaping code (PMC 25.180.080) allows xeriscape areas with approved plans, favors low-water and drought-resistant turf and plant materials, and requires water-conserving or drip irrigation where plantings need regular watering. Residential properties must keep at least 50% of the required front-yard area in live vegetation.
Pasco Native & Drought-Tolerant Plants
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Pasco's landscape code (PMC 25.180.080) sets minimum live-vegetation coverage, which limits how much of a regulated landscape area can be artificial turf or hard ground cover. Residential front yards must keep at least 50% of the required area in live vegetation, and the code expressly bars lava rock in commercial landscaped areas. Pasco does not publish a blanket residential ban on artificial turf.
Pasco Artificial Turf Rules
Some RestrictionsComposting
Pasco has no specific ordinance banning backyard composting, but accumulated yard debris and organic waste must not become a public nuisance, fire hazard, or vector/odor problem under the city's nuisance code. Curbside service and the BDI Transfer facility (1721 Dietrich Road) handle yard debris; the city's nuisance rules require dead/dying vegetation and rubbish to be controlled.