Landscaping Rules in Effingham County, GA (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Effingham County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Cutting down a protected, specimen, landmark, or champion tree in unincorporated Effingham County requires a permit from the county manager first. Development-related removal needs one too, and the county has 30 days to review the application before deciding.
Tree Removal Permit, Effingham County
Some RestrictionsEffingham County Code § 30-442
A permit is required for: (1)Removal of any protected, specimen, landmark, or champion tree;(2)Removal associated with development activity under section 30-431(d) or land disturbance.
Water Restrictions
Outdoor irrigation in unincorporated Effingham County is restricted to overnight hours and an odd/even address schedule under Sec. 75-102. Watering is allowed daily only between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. for planting or maintaining ground cover, and beyond that, odd addresses may water Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays while even addresses water Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays; declared droughts tighten the schedule further under Sec. 75-103.
Effingham County Outdoor Watering Schedule Rule
Some RestrictionsEffingham County Code §§ 75-102(a)(1), 75-102(b), 75-103(c)
(a)(1)Persons may irrigate outdoors daily for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. (12:00 midnight to 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight). ... (b)Outdoor water use other than the above listed activities or activities exempt under section 75-104 shall occur only as follows:(...
Native Plants
In flood-prone parts of unincorporated Effingham County, planting plans must draw from the county's list of flood-tolerant native species, from bald cypress to buttonbush, and non-native or ornamental plantings are barred there unless the county manager specifically approves them.
Native Species Planting Rules, Effingham County
Some RestrictionsEffingham County Code §§ 30-492, 30-494(a)
The following species are designated as preferred for planting within flood-prone areas of Effingham County, based upon their adaptability to periodic inundation, soil saturation, and hydrologic conditions: ... The use of non-native, invasive, or ornamental species in flood-prone planting areas is prohibited unless specifically approved by the county manager or their designee.
Composting
Unincorporated Effingham County lets property owners and occupants compost on their own premises without a permit, but Sec. 66-38(b) conditions that right on the pile not creating a health hazard, looking unsightly, or emitting foul or obnoxious odors.
Effingham County Backyard Composting Rules
Light RestrictionsEffingham County Code § 66-38(b)
(b)The owner or occupant of private property may conduct composting on his or her premises where composting does not create or causes a health hazard to neighbors or other citizens, is not unsightly, and does not emit foul or obnoxious odors.
All Effingham County ordinances
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