Landscaping Rules in Santa Fe, NM (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Santa Fe, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing more than 25% of the significant trees or grass cover on a Santa Fe lot triggers a grading construction permit, and any grading inside an arroyo or drainageway that removes significant trees needs one too. Clearing or grading over 5,000 square feet also requires a permit regardless of how much vegetation comes out.
Santa Fe Permit for Removing Significant Trees
Some RestrictionsSection 14-3.11(E)(2) SFCC 1987
A construction permit for grading shall be required for grading that is not exempt under Subsection (E)(3) of this section, including: (a) work within an arroyo or drainageway that in the natural course of events may lead to changes in flow characteristics, including earthwork, construction of drainage devices or erosion control devices, removal of significant trees and modifications of arroyo ...
Weed Ordinances
Santa Fe's Weed Ordinance bans letting weeds, grass or brush grow past 12 inches with a stem under 2 inches thick on any lot in the city. The city declares this a public nuisance under Section 10-3 and NMSA 1978 Section 3-18-17.
Santa Fe 12-Inch Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code (SFCC 1987) Section 10-3.4
It is unlawful for any owner, lessee, agent, occupant, or person in possession or control of any occupied or unoccupied lot or tract of land or any part thereof within the municipal boundaries to permit or maintain on any such lot or tract of land, or along the sidewalk, street or alley adjacent to the same: A. Any growth of weeds to a height greater than twelve inches (12") and which have a st...
Water Restrictions
Santa Fe bans outdoor irrigation between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from May 1 through October 31 under Section 25-2.7 SFCC 1987. The water division director enforces it, and violators risk fines or water-service disconnection under the city's Rule No. 9 discontinuance procedure.
Santa Fe Watering-Hours Restriction
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code (SFCC 1987) § 25-2.7(A)
A.Outdoor Irrigating Periods. Outdoor irrigation is prohibited between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from May 1 through October 31. It is recommended that outdoor irrigation be limited to no more than three (3) days per week, recognizing that low-water use plants and native vegetation require less irrigation. The use of grey water meeting applicable standards or water harvested from precipitation is...
Rainwater Harvesting
Santa Fe requires city approval before installing, building, altering or repairing a rainwater catchment system under Section 7-1.9 SFCC 1987, which rewrites Uniform Plumbing Code Section 1602.1 for the city. Any outside hose bibb on a non-potable catchment system must be locked and tagged "CAUTION: NON-POTABLE WATER, DO NOT DRINK."
Santa Fe Rainwater Catchment Approval Rule
Some RestrictionsSFCC 1987 § 7-1.9
1602.1 General. The installation, construction, alteration, and repair of rainwater catchments systems intended to supply uses such as water closets, urinals, clothes washers, trap primers for floor drains and floor sinks, irrigation, industrial processes, water features, cooling tower makeup, and other uses shall be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. Additional design information c...
Native Plants
Santa Fe's land development code requires covered projects, and every exterior alteration citywide, to select drought-tolerant plant material and cap water-hungry turf. Section 14-8.4(F) sets a USDA Zone 5 cold-hardiness floor for required plants and caps cool-season lawn grass at 1,000 square feet or 10 percent of a single-family lot, whichever is less, steering yards toward native and low-water species.
Santa Fe Landscape Code Favors Drought-Tolerant Plants
Some RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code (SFCC 1987) § 14-8.4(F)(1) and (F)(4)(a)
Plant material selection shall emphasize drought tolerant plant species and shall limit the use of high water use plant species. All required plant material shall be cold hardy to USDA Classification Zone 5, which is minus fifteen degrees Fahrenheit, or colder. ... (a)single-family dwelling units shall not have cool season turf in excess of one thousand (1,000) square feet or ten percent of the...
Composting
Santa Fe imposes no permit or bin-design standard for backyard composting; the ordinance only bars compost piles that violate other laws or become a nuisance affecting public health, leaving design choices to the resident.
Santa Fe Backyard Composting Nuisance Rule
Light RestrictionsSanta Fe City Code § 21-6.2(F)
Backyard composting and related forms of biological waste diversion or reduction shall be conducted in a manner that does not violate state or city laws or regulations and does not create a nuisance or condition which may adversely affect public health.