Landscaping Rules in Wichita, KS (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Wichita, Kansas, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Wichita requires owners of property abutting a street to prune trees so limbs and undergrowth clear at least seven feet above the sidewalk and 13.5 feet above the street, under Municipal Code Sec. 9.08.150. Altering a public tree otherwise needs the Director of Park and Recreation's consent, and violators face up to a $200 fine.
Wichita Street Tree Clearance: 7 & 13.5 Ft
Some RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 9.08.150
It shall be the duty of all persons owning or controlling any real estate abutting or adjoining any street to prune the trees on their premises so that the limbs and undergrowth shall not hang or extend down over the sidewalk or street abutting such property less than seven feet from the level of such sidewalk or 13.5 feet from such street as required by Section 11.22.020 of the Code of the Cit...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing or altering a tree in a Wichita street, public right-of-way, or park requires written permission from the Parks and Recreation Director before any cutting begins.
Wichita Street Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 9.08.020
Any person desiring to alter, spray or interfere with any tree, or any branch, root or part thereof, standing or growing, wholly or in part, in any street, or public right-of-way shall first request permission from the Director to do so. If permission is deemed prudent, the Director shall grant such permission.(b)In the event of a storm, freeze or other environmental event resulting in damage t...
Weed Ordinances
Wichita caps grass, weeds, and other vegetation at 12 inches; taller growth on any lot is a declared public nuisance the city can abate and bill to the owner.
Wichita Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 8.01.130
Uncultivated or unkept grass, weeds, vines or other vegetation over twelve inches in height or length upon any lot or piece of land or upon the streets and alleys in front of and abutting is unlawful for the owner of any such lot or piece of land to permit uncultivated or unkept grass, weeds or other vegetation in excess of twelve inches in height or length to exist and remain on said owner's l...
Water Restrictions
Wichita bans spray-irrigation watering between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. every day, forbids sprinkler watering on Mondays altogether, and assigns odd-numbered addresses to Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday and even-numbered addresses to Wednesday/Friday/Sunday for the rest of the week.
Wichita Lawn Watering Day & Time Rules
Some RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 17.13.030
...it shall be unlawful for any customer to engage in...watering by spray irrigation at such customer's customer premises: (a)Between the hours of 10:00 AM and 6:00 PM on any day;(b)On a Monday;(c)If the last numerical character in the address...is an odd number, on a Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday; and(d)...is an even number, on a Wednesday, Friday or Sunday.
Rainwater Harvesting
Water collected in rain barrels, cisterns or tanks from rainfall or storm runoff is not counted as "water" under Wichita's outdoor watering ordinance, so harvested rainwater is exempt from the city's time-of-day watering restrictions.
Wichita Rainwater Harvesting Exempt From Watering Limits
Few RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 17.13.010(E)
"Water" means potable water furnished through the distribution system of the City of Wichita's water utility, and accordingly, does not include water drawn by customers from their own wells or water accumulated by customers from rainfall or natural storm runoff in rain barrels, cisterns, tanks, channels, basins, ponds or similar storage structures.(F)"Watering" means outdoor use of water for ir...
Native Plants
Wichita exempts planned sustainable landscapes made mostly of native plants from the city's 12-inch weed nuisance rule, provided the planting is maintained, weed-free, edged, and set back from lot lines.
Wichita Native Plant Landscape Exemption
Some RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 8.01.130
Exception. The provisions of this Section shall not apply to: Planned sustainable landscape areas that meet the following criteria: 1.All landscape material is maintained in a healthy condition and managed so as not to include unintended vegetation;2.The planned sustainable landscape does not contain invasive plants, brush, or woody vines which are not properly controlled; turf grass; or an...
Artificial Turf
Wichita's zoning code bans synthetic turf from counting as required landscaping: Sec. 28.06.070.B states flatly that 'the use of artificial trees, shrubs, vines, turf, or other plants as an outside Landscape Material is not allowed.' The rule applies wherever this chapter requires Landscape Material, meaning street yards, buffers, and parking lot screening on new development and additions, not existing private lawns outside those requirements.
Wichita Bans Artificial Turf as Landscaping
Significant RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 28.06.070.B; Sec. 28.06.130
A.Landscaping shall not conflict with the traffic visibility requirements in Chapter 11.22 of this Code.B.The use of artificial trees, shrubs, vines, turf, or other plants as an outside Landscape Material is not allowed. ... Any person, individual, partnership, corporation or association who violates any of the provisions of this Chapter and who fails to correct such a violation upon which a ci...
Composting
Wichita allows residential composting of biodegradable garbage, yard waste and tree waste by right under Municipal Code Sec. 7.08.070, as long as the compost is made from material produced on the same premises and does not cause odors, fly breeding or rodent activity, following guidelines set by the health officer. Community composting or mulching projects need the health officer's advance approval.
Wichita Residential Composting Rules
Light RestrictionsWichita Municipal Code Sec. 7.08.070; Sec. 7.08.190
Composting of biodegradable residential garbage, yard waste, and tree waste, on residential premises may be accomplished provided that the composting is of materials produced on the premises associated therewith and provided that such composting does not result in odors, fly breeding, rodent activity or other nuisance and provided further that such composting is carried out in accordance with g...
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