Landscaping Rules in Yakima, WA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Yakima, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Yakima requires owners to prune any tree overhanging a street or right-of-way to keep an 8-foot clear space above the sidewalk or street, and to remove hazardous limbs that threaten public safety.
Yakima Street Tree Trimming Clearance Rule
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 8.77.150
Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight feet above the surface of the street or sidewalk. Said owners shall remove all dead, diseased or dangerous trees, or broken...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Yakima can order removal of a dead or diseased private tree that threatens life, property, or spreads disease to other trees, giving the owner 60 days to remove it at their own expense.
Yakima Dead or Diseased Tree Removal
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 8.77.160
The city shall have the right to cause the removal of any dead or diseased trees on private property within the city when such trees constitute a hazard to life and property, or harbor insects or disease, which constitute a potential threat to other trees within the city. The tree board will notify in writing the city arborist of the location of the tree, which needs removal. The city arborist ...
Weed Ordinances
Yakima caps hazardous vegetation on any premises at 12 inches; owners who don't cut it after a notice of violation face prosecution, and the city can send a crew to cut the weeds and bill the owner.
Yakima Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 11.40.302 (IPMC § 302.4 - Weeds)
Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from hazardous vegetation in excess of 12 inches in height. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a property to cut and destroy such vegetation after service of a notice of violation, they shall be subject to prosecution in accordance with section 106.3 and as prescribed by the authority having jurisdiction. Upon failure to c...
Water Restrictions
Yakima has no standing odd/even watering schedule; instead, once the city council declares a water-supply emergency, the city manager can ban or ration outdoor irrigation, turf watering, and other outdoor water use citywide.
Yakima Emergency Outdoor Watering Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 7.68.203
Upon declaration of a water supply emergency, the city manager may direct that no water shall be used for outdoor uses including, but not limited to, irrigation of lawns, turf or use on other outdoor surfaces...except at times and under conditions as specified by the city manager. Such conditions may include but are not limited to: Alternate day limitations; Time of day limitations; Limitation ...
Rainwater Harvesting
Yakima doesn't mandate rainwater harvesting, but new commercial or industrial buildings that install one can earn a 10% credit on the building's stormwater utility charge after city engineer approval.
Yakima Rainwater Harvesting Fee Credit
Light RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 7.80.120(B)
Credit for Rainwater Harvesting Systems. Upon review and approval by the engineer, owners of new or newly constructed commercial/industrial class buildings that utilize a properly constructed and maintained permissive rainwater harvesting system shall be eligible for a ten percent credit applied toward that portion of their stormwater charge arising from the building upon which the system is us...
Artificial Turf
Yakima's zoning code defines "landscaping" to expressly include the placement of artificial turf, so synthetic turf counts toward required landscaping under Title 15.
Artificial Turf Allowed as Landscaping in Yakima
Few RestrictionsYakima Municipal Code § 15.02.020
“Landscaping” means the arrangement and planting of trees, grass, shrubs and flowers, and the placement of fountains, patios, street furniture and ornamental concrete or stonework and artificial turf. “Legislative body” means the Yakima city council. “Loading space” means an off-street space on the same lot with a structure or use, or contiguous to a group of structures or uses, for the te...
Looking for Yakima County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Yakima city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Yakima County →