Landscaping Rules in Scranton, PA (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Scranton, Pennsylvania, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
City Code § 434-1 makes it unlawful for any property owner to let shade trees, hedges or shrubs grow so overgrown that they block passage on a sidewalk or street, or obscure sight lines at an intersection. The City also holds its own pruning power under § 434-5A(8) to cut back branches that block streetlights, traffic signs, or create a hazard for pedestrians and drivers.
Scranton Bans Overgrown Trees Blocking Streets, Walks
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code § 434-1
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit or allow shade trees, hedges or shrubs to become so overgrown as to interfere with passage along sidewalks or streets, or to impede safe vision of oncoming traffic at or near street intersections.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Scranton bars anyone, including a city department, from removing a street, park or public tree without permission from the Shade Tree Commission and City Forester under City Code § 434-5A(9). The rule covers trees along the right-of-way between curb and sidewalk and on city-owned parks and grounds, and a violation carries a fine of up to $250 per tree under § 434-5B.
Scranton Requires a Permit to Remove Street Trees
Significant RestrictionsScranton City Code § 434-5A(2), (9)
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or city department, without the permission of the Shade Tree Commission and/or City Forester, to plant or set any tree within the City of Scranton ... It shall be unlawful for any person, firm, corporation or city department to ... remove any tree without first obtaining permission from the Shade Tree Commission and/or City Forester.
Weed Ordinances
Scranton caps weeds and grass at eight inches on any lot in the city under Code § 434-25. Canada thistle, ragweed, burdock and similarly rank, foul-smelling growth over that height is declared a public nuisance. The Director of Health can order an owner to cut it within 10 days, and the city will do the work and bill the owner if the notice is ignored.
Scranton Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsScranton City Code § 434-24; § 434-25
The word "weeds," as used in this Article, is defined to include all Canada thistles, ragweed, burdocks, any senecio species and all rank vegetable growth which exhale unpleasant and noxious odors and also high and rank vegetable growth that may conceal filthy deposits. ... It shall be unlawful for any person owning or holding real estate to allow or maintain on any lot within the corporate lim...
Rainwater Harvesting
Scranton's zoning code exempts a functional rain barrel connected to a roof downspout from its yard-setback rules, as long as it holds less than 65 gallons, letting residents harvest rainwater inside a required front, side, or rear yard without a variance.
Scranton Rain Barrel Yard Setback Exemption
Light RestrictionsScranton City Code § 445-17B(22)
Permitted encroachments in required yard areas... ... (22) Functional rain barrels holding less than 65 gallons that are connected to a roof downspout system of a building or structure; and