Landscaping Rules in Rapid City, SD (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Rapid City, South Dakota, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Rapid City Municipal Code § 12.32.130 requires trees overhanging a city sidewalk to be trimmed to at least 7 feet of clearance above the walk, and trees overhanging a street or alley to be trimmed to at least 11 feet, so pedestrians, vehicles and equipment can pass safely underneath.
Rapid City tree clearance over streets, sidewalks
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 12.32.130
All trees overhanging any city sidewalk shall be kept trimmed so that the space between the sidewalk and the lowest branch overhanging the sidewalk is not less than 7 feet. All trees overhanging any street or alley in the city shall be kept trimmed so that the space between the street or alley and the lowest branch overhanging said street or alley is not less than 11 feet.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Rapid City Municipal Code § 12.32.100 lets the city inspect and order removal of any dead, diseased, pest-infested or visibly defective private tree that endangers life or property or harbors pests. The Urban Forester sets a reasonable removal deadline at owner expense; if the owner does not comply, the city removes the tree and bills the cost as a special assessment.
Rapid City can order removal of hazard trees
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 12.32.100
A. The city shall have the right to inspect and cause the removal of any tree, or any part thereof, on private property within the city if the tree or any part thereof: 1. Is dead, diseased, insect infested or has obvious visible defects; and 2. Either: a. Constitutes a hazard to life or property, or b. Harbors pests which constitute a threat to other trees within the city. 3. A tree, or any pa...
Weed Ordinances
Rapid City Municipal Code § 8.28.020 declares grass and weeds over 8 inches tall a nuisance on any lot, place or area in the city, including the abutting sidewalk strip. Code Enforcement or Building Services issues a written notice, and unmowed lots face city abatement billed back to the owner.
Rapid City 8-Inch Grass and Weed Limit
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 8.28.020
All grass and weeds having reached a height of 8 inches, and other noxious matter are declared a nuisance and no owner of any lot, place or area within the city, or the agent of the owner or the occupant of the lot, place or area, shall permit on the lot, place or area, or upon any sidewalk abutting the same, any grass and weeds having reached a height of 8 inches, or other noxious matter to gr...
Water Restrictions
Rapid City limits outdoor lawn, tree and garden watering every June, July and August to the hours of 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., on an odd/even schedule tied to street address, under Rapid City Municipal Code § 13.08.410. No watering is allowed on the 31st of any month, and the restrictions can expand to more months or run year-round if Pactola Reservoir drops.
Rapid City odd/even outdoor watering schedule
Some RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 13.08.410
A. For the purposes of conserving water and protecting limited supplies and facilitating the economical production of municipal water the following measures are established and shall be enforced: 1. No person shall perform outside watering, including lawn, tree and garden irrigation, during the months hereinafter specified. Outside watering shall be allowed between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 9:...
Native Plants
Rapid City's landscape ordinance requires every undeveloped portion of a commercial, industrial, or multifamily lot to carry a sufficient cover of hardy native plant materials or grass. Rapid City Municipal Code Section 17.50.300 defines the requirement and points property owners to a Department-maintained list of hardy native plants.
Rapid City Native Plant Cover Requirement
Light RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 17.50.300.C.14, G.1.k
UNDEVELOPED AREA. ... That portion of a plot or parcel not occupied by a building, structure, pavement or other improvements and which spans the entire length or width of the property and which is at least 75 feet deep. All undeveloped areas must have a sufficient cover of hardy native plant materials or grass. ... The plant types selected shall be suited to the conditions of the location to mi...
Composting
Rapid City doesn't regulate compost bins by size or material, but a compost pile that spreads or harbors disease, gives off unpleasant odors or harmful gas, or draws rodents, vermin or other pests is a public nuisance under the city's nuisance ordinance. The code carves out one specific exception: earthworms living in a compost pile never count as a nuisance on their own.
Rapid City Compost Pile Nuisance Rule
Light RestrictionsRapid City Municipal Code § 8.16.010(C)(7)
7. Vegetables or vegetable matters emitting noxious odors. All vegetables, vegetable matters, or other articles that emit or cause an offensive, noxious or disagreeable smell or odor; and any compost pile which is of such a nature as to spread or harbor disease, emit unpleasant odors or harmful gas, or attract rodents, vermin or other disease carrying pests, animals or insects, except that the ...