Landscaping Rules in Durham County, NC (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Durham County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Durham sets no permit or height rule for pruning trees in your own yard. Tree rules bite during land development, where the Unified Development Ordinance protects trees inside a fenced tree protection zone.
Trimming Trees in Durham County
Some RestrictionsDurham UDO 8.3.2E
No storage of materials, dumping of waste materials, fill, or parking of equipment shall be allowed within the tree protection zone.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Durham requires a tree survey and protection plan for land disturbance near buffers and protected trees. 'Major specimen trees' get special protection, and a land-disturbance tree survey is required within 30 feet of a buffer.
Durham Tree Protection and Removal Permits
Some RestrictionsDurham UDO 17.3 (Major Specimen Tree definition)
Any evergreen canopy tree 18 inches dbh or greater, any deciduous canopy tree 12 inches dbh or greater and any understory tree (deciduous or evergreen) eight inches dbh or greater.
Weed Ordinances
Durham declares dense weeds, vines, briars and undergrowth a public nuisance when they harbor pests or sit near buildings. Overgrowth over 12 inches high must be cleared and cut to no more than six inches.
Durham Weeds and Undergrowth Nuisance Law
Some RestrictionsDurham City Code § 26-181(2)
The weeds, grass, vines or briars constituting a prohibited condition described by this subsection shall be cleared and cut to not more than six inches in height.
Water Restrictions
Durham County bans or limits lawn and garden watering once University Lake, the reservoir behind the county's Orange Water and Sewer Authority service area, drops to preset levels. At Stage II (346 feet, 36 inches below full) it becomes unlawful to water lawns, shrubs or gardens except a single two-hour window on Saturday or Sunday morning. Violators face a misdemeanor charge.
Durham County Water Shortage Watering Rules
Significant RestrictionsDurham County Code § 26-59(2)a
(2)If the water level of University Lake declines to the level of 346 feet above mean sea level (36 inches below full), a stage II water shortage warning may be declared in effect... It shall be unlawful to use water from the public water system supplied by the Orange Water and Sewer Authority for the following purposes:a.To water lawns, grass, shrubbery, trees, flower, and vegetable gardens ex...
Native Plants
Durham lies in the Neuse River and Falls Lake watersheds, where state and UDO riparian buffer rules require a 50-foot protected buffer of native vegetation along streams. The inner 30 feet must stay undisturbed forest.
Native Vegetation and Stream Buffers in Durham
Some RestrictionsNC Neuse River Basin Riparian Buffer Rules (15A NCAC 02B .0714)
The rules require a 50-foot riparian buffer that is divided into two zones. The 30 feet closest to the water (Zone 1) must remain undisturbed. The outer 20 feet (Zone 2) can be managed vegetation.
Composting
Backyard composting is legal in unincorporated Durham County under Code Sec. 20-12, but piles must sit at least 25 feet from any neighboring dwelling and can't attract rodents, insects, or wildlife. Meat, dairy, and pet or human waste are barred from the pile.
Durham County Backyard Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsDurham County Code Sec. 20-12
(a)Compliance. Backyard composting is considered a means of waste reduction in the residential community. Every person engaged in backyard composting in unincorporated areas of the county shall comply with all rules and regulations concerning proper composting procedures.(b)Proper composting procedures.(1)Composting activity shall not occur within 25 feet of any structure used as a dwelling tha...
Landscaping Rules by City in Durham County
1 cities in Durham County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Durham County ordinances
See every category we cover for Durham County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Durham County Ordinance Hub →