Landscaping Rules in Clayton County, GA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated Clayton County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Clayton County's Tree Protection Ordinance defines pruning and puts a continuing duty on private property owners to keep trees and shrubs in a safe condition under Code of Ordinances Sec. 86-66. Prune a protected tree too aggressively, or outside International Society of Arboriculture standards, and the county's own definitions treat that as unauthorized tree removal, not routine trimming.
Clayton County Tree Pruning and Safety Duty
Some RestrictionsClayton County Code of Ordinances § 86-66
Nothing in this article shall be deemed to impose any liability upon the county or upon any of its officers or employees or to relieve the owner and occupant of any private property from the duty to keep trees and shrubs upon private property or under his control in a safe condition.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a tree six inches or larger in diameter anywhere in unincorporated Clayton County requires a tree removal permit under the county's Tree Protection Ordinance. Homeowners get a narrow exemption for up to three smaller trees a year, but development sites, redevelopment, and any removal above that threshold trigger permitting, tree surveys, and replacement obligations under Code of Ordinances Sec. 86-60(a) and Sec. 86-61.
Clayton County Tree Removal Permit Requirements
Some RestrictionsClayton County Code of Ordinances § 86-60(a)
(a)Single-family residential. The removal of three or fewer under 30 inches diameter breast height on any single-family residential property, within a single calendar year, unless such action is subject to a building permit that would allow land disturbance. However, no homeowner can remove trees within two years from the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for a residence when such trees ...
Weed Ordinances
In unincorporated Clayton County, grass, weeds, and similar plants on developed land may not exceed ten inches in height (Sec. 62-202(b)). Owners must also keep the property clear of dead trees, trash, rubbish, and garbage.
Clayton County Grass and Weed Limit: 10 Inches
Heavy RestrictionsCode of Clayton County, GA Sec. 62-202(b)
It shall be unlawful for the owner, occupant or person in possession of any developed land to allow grass, weeds, and similar plants to grow on said property to a height in excess of ten inches.
Water Restrictions
Clayton County bars outdoor watering of lawns, gardens and landscaping between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. year-round under Code § 98-51, a standing local rule enforced separately from any state drought schedule. Thirteen listed exemptions cover food gardens, drip irrigation, hand watering, private wells and freshly installed turf, and violators face warnings, citations and fines up to $500 under Sec. 98-52.
Clayton County Watering Hours: 4 p.m. to 10 a.m.
Some RestrictionsCode of Clayton County, GA § 98-51
Sec. 98-51. - Restriction on outdoor watering of landscape. Outdoor watering for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants in the county may occur only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.; provided, however, that this limitation shall not create any limitation upon the following outdoor water uses:(a)Commercial raising, harves...
Rainwater Harvesting
Clayton County's Urban and Market Gardens Ordinance (Sec. 6.41) lists rain barrel systems as a permitted structure for any registered urban or market garden and requires garden-permit applicants to disclose rainwater recycling locations on their site plan. Countywide, the Code's Green Infrastructure design standards (Sec. 38-160) also list rain barrels among the low-impact development options the county will consider for new subdivisions.
Rain Barrels and Rainwater Recycling in Clayton County
Light RestrictionsClayton County Zoning Ordinance Sec. 6.41, Sec. 3(b)(2)
• Urban Garden Structures: to include hoop-houses, greenhouses, trellises, raised beds, tool/storage sheds, restroom facilities, compost bins, rain barrel systems, picnic tables, any other structure used by the Urban Garden are allowed...b.Garden Plan:1.Submit a site plan showing the (1) Property lines and adjacent property owners, (2) Plan layout and dimensions showing plot layout, structures ...
Native Plants
Clayton County's tree ordinance tells builders which species satisfy a tree-density permit, and it makes native species the preferred pick. Sec. 86-70 sets a countywide selection list of overstory and understory trees found in the Piedmont region, stating species diversity and native plantings are 'highly recommended and preferred' on any site subject to a land-disturbance or development permit.
Clayton County's Native Tree Planting List
Light RestrictionsCode of Clayton County, GA Sec. 86-70
The following list contains overstory and understory trees which are found in the Piedmont region and are recommended for use in meeting the tree requirements of this article. In selecting plant materials the standard for an overstory tree is that it attains a mature height in excess of 40 feet. An understory tree is one that does not reach 30 feet in height at maturity. The majority of the pla...
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