Landscaping Rules in Philadelphia, PA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Philadelphia Parks & Recreation has exclusive control of all street trees under Philadelphia Code Section 15-203. A private owner may trim, prune, or remove the street tree abutting their property only after obtaining a permit from the Department, and any contractor doing tree work must hold a Department permit, sign an indemnification agreement, and carry liability insurance. Violations carry a minimum fine of $300 per day.
Permit required to prune or remove a Philadelphia street tree
Heavy RestrictionsPhiladelphia Parks & Recreation Regulations, Chapter IV, Section 401(A) & 401(C) (Aug. 2023); Philadelphia Code Sec. 15-203
The Department has exclusive custody and control of, and responsibility for and power to plant, set out, remove, maintain, protect and care for, street trees on the streets of Philadelphia. See, Philadelphia Code Section 15-203. ... A private property owner may, at the owner's own expense and responsibility, perform maintenance, trimming, and pruning to a street tree along that owner's property...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Under Philadelphia Code Section 14-705(1)(e), heritage trees on a development lot may not be removed unless the applicant replaces them per the tree-replacement standards or obtains a Zoning Board special exception. Healthy trees 2.5-inch DBH or larger removed during development generally must be replaced so the total caliper of replacements equals the total caliper removed.
Heritage trees protected; removal needs replacement or special exception
Heavy RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code Sec. 14-705(1)(e)-(f) (Heritage Trees and Tree Replacement Requirements), per L&I On-Site Landscape and Tree Requirements regulations (Nov. 2022)
(e) Preservation of Heritage Trees. The location, DBH, and species of all existing trees shall be included in a landscape and tree plan. Heritage trees may not be removed from any property unless the applicant meets the standards of Sec. 14-705(1)(e)(.1) or obtains a special exception approval in accordance with Sec. 14-705(1)(e)(.2). ... (f) Tree Replacement Requirements. (.1) Except as set fo...
Weed Ordinances
Philadelphia Property Maintenance Code Section PM-302.4 bars weeds or plant growth over 10 inches and prohibits all noxious weeds. After a Notice of Violation, an owner who fails to cut and destroy the weeds is subject to prosecution, and the City may enter the property, remove the weeds, and charge the cost to the owner.
Weeds prohibited over 10 inches; city abates at owner's cost
Heavy RestrictionsPhiladelphia Property Maintenance Code Sec. PM-302.4 (Weeds), enacted by Bill No. 140856
PM-302.4 Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches. All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a pr...
Water Restrictions
Philadelphia has no permanent calendar or odd/even lawn-watering schedule. Outdoor irrigation is generally unrestricted, but during a Commonwealth drought emergency the Governor of Pennsylvania may prohibit watering lawns, gardens, shrubs, washing vehicles, and filling pools, as the City's Office of Emergency Management explains.
Outdoor watering allowed except during a drought emergency
Some RestrictionsCity of Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management, Drought - Drought Emergency restrictions
The governor of Pennsylvania may call for restrictions on non-essential water uses in the event of a drought emergency. During a drought emergency you cannot: Use a hose to clean your vehicles, trailers, or boats. Use water to clean sidewalks, streets, or gutters, unless a public official asked you to do so. Use water for fountains, waterfalls, reflecting pools, or other decorative items. Water...
Rainwater Harvesting
Philadelphia zoning lets rainwater harvesting barrels encroach into required side and rear yards, but not within 2 feet of the lot line.
Rain Barrels Allowed in Side/Rear Yards
Few RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code § 14-701(1)
Geothermal energy equipment, rainwater harvesting barrels, and odorless composting equipment shall be allowed to encroach into required side yards that are at least 5 ft. wide, and into required rear yards, but not within 2 ft. of any side or rear lot line.
Native Plants
Any new landscaping placed inside Philadelphia's mandatory 50-foot waterfront setback has to come from the native and non-invasive planting list in the Water Department's Stormwater Management Guidance Manual, not just any nursery stock. The rule sits on top of a citywide standard requiring trees, shrubs, grasses, perennials and groundcover in required landscape areas to come from a list the City Planning Commission maintains, and compliant waterfront plantings count toward the site's overall landscape obligation.
Philadelphia Waterfront Landscaping Must Use Native Plants
Some RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code § 14-704(5)(b)(.4)
(.4) Plantings within the waterfront setback may count toward the minimum landscape requirements required by § 14-705 (Landscape and Trees). Any new landscape within the waterfront setback shall use the plantings included on the native and non-invasive planting list in the Philadelphia Stormwater Management Guidance Manual.
Composting
Philadelphia zoning lets odorless composting equipment sit in required side and rear yards, but it must stay at least 2 feet off the property line.
Composting Equipment Yard Setbacks
Light RestrictionsPhiladelphia Code § 14-701 (Dimensional Standards, Exceptions to Yard, Setback, and Open Area Requirements)
Geothermal energy equipment, rainwater harvesting barrels, and odorless composting equipment shall be allowed to encroach into required side yards that are at least 5 ft. wide, and into required rear yards, but not within 2 ft. of any side or rear lot line.