Landscaping Rules in Port Townsend, WA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Port Townsend, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Port Townsend requires eight feet of tree and vegetation clearance above sidewalks and 15 feet above streets, or it's a nuisance.
Port Townsend Sidewalk Tree Clearance
Some RestrictionsPTMC 9.08.030(A)(5)
Vegetation, or parts thereof, that hang lower than eight feet above any public walkway, path or sidewalk; or hang lower than 15 feet above any street; or that are growing in such a manner as to obstruct or impair the free and full use of any public walkway, sidewalk, or street. 6. Vegetation within the clear vision area, as defined by PTMC 12.04.030, that blocks or impairs motorist, cyclist,...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Dead or dying trees under an approved tree conservation plan must be replaced within 180 days with an equivalent tree.
Port Townsend Tree Replacement Rule
Some RestrictionsPTMC 19.06.180
Dead or dying trees shall be replaced within 180 days of removal with a healthy tree meeting the requirements of PTMC 19.06.130. The tree density units provided by the replacement trees shall be equivalent to that provided by the trees being replaced. The preferred planting time for replacement trees is October 1st through March 1st. Tree replacement during the summer months (June 15th through ...
Weed Ordinances
Port Townsend declares noxious weeds and overgrown right-of-way grass a nuisance, capping grass at 12 inches and tying weed control to the state noxious weed list, with escalating fines for violators.
Port Townsend Noxious Weed & Vegetation Rules
Some RestrictionsPTMC 9.08.030(A)(3), (A)(7)
3. Noxious weeds as defined in Chapter 16-750 WAC, as amended, or as required for removal or control by the Jefferson County noxious weed control board. 4. Accumulation of vegetation waste, including, but not limited to, grass clippings, cut brush, cut trees, and/or cut weeds, except when in an enclosed container or in a managed composting operation. 5. Vegetation, or parts thereof, that ...
Native Plants
Port Townsend's nuisance code doesn't mandate a mowed lawn. Private yards can be planted in native or naturalized vegetation as long as they don't smother structures, block access, or breed noxious weeds.
Port Townsend Native Landscaping Allowed
Few RestrictionsPTMC 9.08.030(A)(1)
The following acts, omissions, places, conditions, and things are declared to be nuisances: A. Vegetation. 1. Overgrown, uncultivated, or untended vegetation of any type that substantially covers structures on the property or substantially blocks or impedes access to structures on the property. 2. Trees, shrubs, vines, or other vegetation that destroys, impairs, interferes, restricts t...
Artificial Turf
Port Townsend's zoning code counts artificial turf as an approved landscape material alongside lawn, gravel, and rockeries, so synthetic grass can satisfy the city's yard and screening landscaping rules without a special permit.
Artificial Turf Allowed as Landscaping
Few RestrictionsPTMC 17.08.040
"Landscape" means the use of materials such as, but not limited to, trees, ornamental shrubs, gravel, river rock, driftwood, rockeries, lawn, artificial turf or combination of such materials.
Composting
Compost piles are allowed on private property, but PTMC 9.28.030 requires them to be contained within a physical structure: otherwise the pile counts as litter under the city's property-maintenance rule.
Port Townsend Compost Pile Containment Rule
Some RestrictionsPTMC 9.28.030
The owner, occupant or person in control of any public place shall at all times maintain the premises free of litter; provided, however, that this section shall not prohibit the storage of litter in private litter receptacles for collection or disposal, the maintenance of compost piles contained within a physical structure, and the temporary storage of building, construction, landscaping and si...