Landscaping Rules in Rochester, NY (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Rochester, New York, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Rochester, no one may plant, cut down, trim, prune, spray, or injure any tree in a public street or place without the written consent of the City Forester. The Forestry Division controls all street-tree work and sets the conditions of every consent.
Rochester NY: Permit Required to Plant or Remove Street Trees
Significant RestrictionsCode of the City of Rochester § 89-9 (Trees)
A. A person must not cut down any tree in a public street or place or cut any branch or limb therefrom or trim any branch or limb thereon or prune or spray or attach any guy wire thereto without the written consent of the City Forester... D. A person must not plant any tree or shrub in a public street or place without the written consent of the City Forester, and the conditions contained in suc...
Weed Ordinances
Rochester caps grass and weeds at 10 inches. Under Property Conservation Code § 90-14(B), exterior plant growth taller than 10 inches is a violation, and all noxious weeds are banned outright. Cultivated flowers and gardens are exempt.
Rochester, NY Tall Grass and Weeds Limit: 10 Inches
Some RestrictionsCode of the City of Rochester § 90-14(B) (Property Conservation Code — Property maintenance)
The exterior portions of all premises shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches (254 mm). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs, provided, however, that this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rain barrels, rain gardens and bioswales are permitted accessory uses on both residential and nonresidential lots in Rochester, but the green infrastructure has to sit in the side or rear yard, not the front, under City Code § 120-163A(9) and B(17). No separate permit is needed beyond the standard accessory-use rules that apply citywide.
Rochester Allows Rain Barrels in Side or Rear Yard
Light RestrictionsRochester City Code § 120-163A(9), B(17)
A. For residential uses, the following accessory uses and structures are permitted: ... (9) Green infrastructure techniques, such as rain barrels, rain gardens, or bioswales, when located in the side or rear yard. ... B. For nonresidential uses, the following accessory uses and structures are permitted: ... (17) Green infrastructure techniques, such as rain barrels, rain gardens, or bioswales, ...
Native Plants
Rochester's landscaping-plan guidelines direct that plants be suited to the site's climate, geology and topography and that protection of native plant materials and natural areas be encouraged, under City Code § 120-169E(1)(a). The same guidelines cap water-intensive ornamental plants at 10% of the landscaped area on projects that require a landscaping plan.
Rochester Encourages Native Plants in Landscaping Plans
Light RestrictionsRochester City Code § 120-169E(1)(a),(b)
E. Landscaping plans and additional information. (1) Guidelines. The following guidelines shall be used in developing all landscaping plans: (a) Plants selected shall be suited to the climate and region as well as the geologic and topographic conditions of the site. Protection and preservation of native plant materials and natural areas are encouraged. (b) Water-intensive ornamental plant mater...
Composting
Rochester's Refuse Code authorizes residents to compost leaves in their own backyard rather than setting them out for city pickup. Code § 20-15(H) lets the Department of Environmental Services treat backyard leaf composting as the primary disposal method; uncomposted leaves get one seasonal curbside collection each fall, and lawn clippings that aren't composted must go out with regular refuse in a City-issued container, alternate container, or plastic bag.
Rochester NY Authorizes Backyard Leaf Composting
Few RestrictionsRochester City Code § 20-15(G), (H)
G. Lawn cuttings. Lawn cuttings and trimmings if not composted may be placed in a City-issued container, alternate container or plastic bags with residential refuse and treated as such. H. Leaves. Backyard composting of leaves is authorized by the Department. Leaves not composted may be left in loose piles between the sidewalk and the curb or alongside the roadway for a one-time collection by t...
Looking for Monroe County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rochester city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Monroe County →