Landscaping Rules in Sammamish, WA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Sammamish, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Sammamish does not publish a specific maximum lawn or grass height in its Municipal Code. The Sammamish Building and Property Maintenance Code (SMC 16.25.200, Exterior property areas) requires all exterior property and premises to be maintained in a clean, safe and sanitary condition. Code violations are declared public nuisances under SMC 23.30.010 and enforced through the city's code compliance process.
Sammamish Grass Height & Overgrown Vegetation
Few RestrictionsTree Trimming
In Sammamish, heavy pruning of a significant tree is regulated like removal. The tree standards (SDC 21.03.060) treat pruning that removes more than one-third of a tree's branches as equivalent to removal, requiring a tree removal permit. Tree topping is discouraged by the Urban Forest Management Program. Right-of-way street trees need a Right-of-Way permit.
Sammamish Tree Trimming & Topping Rules
Heavy RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Sammamish has strong tree-retention rules. Removing a 'significant tree' (coniferous 8 inches DBH or larger, deciduous 12 inches DBH or larger) requires a tree removal permit under SDC 21.03.060. Annual and 10-year removal limits scale with lot size. Removed significant trees must be replaced, and unlawful removal carries a civil penalty of $1,500 per inch of trunk diameter (SMC 23.100.010).
Sammamish Tree Removal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Sammamish does not set a numeric weed-height limit, but its landscaping standards (SDC 21.07.070) prohibit any plant on the King County noxious weed list across required landscape types. Overgrown or hazardous vegetation can be addressed as a public nuisance under SMC 23.30.010. King County's Noxious Weed Control Board independently requires control of regulated noxious weeds countywide.
Sammamish Weed & Noxious Plant Rules
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
The City of Sammamish runs no water utility and imposes no mandatory citywide watering restrictions. Water comes from special-purpose districts — chiefly Sammamish Plateau Water. Their current guidance is voluntary conservation: water two or three times a week, before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Mandatory limits would come from the water district or a state drought declaration.
Sammamish Outdoor Watering Restrictions
Few RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal in Sammamish and across Washington. Under a 2009 Washington Department of Ecology policy, collecting rooftop rainwater for on-site use does not require a water-right permit. The city actively encourages stormwater reuse and low-impact development. Larger cisterns or systems tied to plumbing may still need a building or plumbing permit.
Sammamish Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Sammamish encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping and requires it in certain contexts. The landscaping code (SDC 21.07.070) calls for drought-tolerant species in bioretention and living-roof landscaping and bars King County noxious-weed-list plants. Tree replacement plantings must be primarily native Washington species. Critical-area restoration also emphasizes native plantings.
Sammamish Native & Drought-Tolerant Plant Rules
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Artificial turf is allowed in Sammamish and counts as 'yard area' for landscaping purposes. However, the city's surface water rules (based on the King County Surface Water Design Manual and Sammamish's addendum) classify artificial turf as an impervious, pollution-generating surface for stormwater modeling. Turf without an underdrain is treated as impervious, which can affect drainage review on larger projects.
Sammamish Artificial Turf Rules
Some RestrictionsComposting
Sammamish does not prohibit backyard composting, and curbside yard waste/compost collection is available citywide. Curbside garbage, recycling, and yard-waste/compost service is provided by Republic Services, and yard and food waste collected in King County is processed at Cedar Grove. King County offers backyard composting resources. Compost piles must not create a nuisance or rodent harborage.
Sammamish Composting & Yard Waste Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sammamish city rules.
Landscaping Rules in King County →