8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in DeKalb County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
DeKalb County Code (Ch. 18 Nuisances and Ch. 30 Environmental Nuisances) prohibits excessively overgrown grass and weeds as a nuisance. Uncut or overgrown grass and weeds are listed as a nuisance condition. Code Enforcement (404-371-2181) issues notices with compliance periods before citations.
DeKalb County's tree protection ordinance (Ch. 14, Land Development) requires ISA-certified arborist assessments for significant pruning of protected trees. Pruning within 75-foot stream buffers requires permits. Consult the DeKalb County Arborist (404-371-2685) before major pruning work.
DeKalb County homeowners may remove up to 5 healthy non-specimen trees per calendar year with written notification to the County Arborist. Removal of more than 5 trees or any specimen tree requires a formal Notice of Tree Removal with an ISA-certified arborist's health/risk assessment. Specimen trees: hardwoods ≥30 inch DBH; small trees ≥10 inch DBH.
DeKalb County Code Chapter 15 (Health & Sanitation) prohibits grass and weeds over 12 inches. Enforcement authorized under O.C.G.A. §41-2-5. Kudzu is a major invasive concern.
DeKalb County Watershed Management provides water service to unincorporated DeKalb County. Georgia Water Stewardship Act (2010) outdoor watering schedule applies. During EPD drought declarations (Level 1–4), outdoor watering progressively restricted. Contact DeKalb County Watershed: 404-371-2673.
Rainwater harvesting is encouraged in DeKalb County under the Georgia Water Stewardship Act. Residential rain barrels require no permit; larger cisterns and potable reuse follow plumbing code.
DeKalb County encourages native plant landscaping and tree preservation. Tree Protection Ordinance (Chapter 14) favors native canopy species. No Georgia law preempts HOA lawn/plant restrictions.
DeKalb County does not regulate residential artificial turf installation. No permit required for replacing a lawn. HOAs may prohibit. Erosion and drainage rules apply for larger installations.
4 cities in DeKalb County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
4 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
4 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
4 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
4 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
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