Landscaping Rules in Fayette County, GA (2026)
5 rules for unincorporated Fayette County, Georgia.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Fayette County's cable television franchise ordinance gives a CATV grantee the authority to trim trees overhanging county streets when branches touch its wires and cables, but only under the county's supervision and direction and at the grantee's own expense, under Code of Fayette County, Georgia Sec. 24-29(g). It's a franchise-specific authorization, not a general tree-clearance ordinance for property owners.
Fayette County Cable Tree-Trimming Authority
Light RestrictionsFayette County Code § 24-29(g)
The grantee shall have the authority to trim trees overhanging the streets of the county so as to prevent the branches of such trees from coming in contact with a grantee's wires and cables. All trimming shall be done under the supervision and direction of the county and at the expense of a grantee.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Any project in unincorporated Fayette County that needs a preliminary plat, an erosion and sedimentation plan, or a site plan also has to submit a tree protection plan before land clearing starts. Fayette County Code §§ 104-152(b) and 104-153(4) require fenced protection zones around every tree marked for retention throughout construction, enforced by the environmental management department.
Tree Protection Permits in Fayette County
Significant RestrictionsFayette County Code §§ 104-152(b), 104-153(4)
(b)Applicability. ... This article shall apply to any activity that requires a preliminary plat, erosion, sedimentation, and pollution control plan or site plan as defined in article II of this chapter (except as otherwise exempted in the Zoning Ordinance). Residential subdivisions without common infrastructure are still required to submit a tree protection plan but are not required to submit t...
Weed Ordinances
Fayette County adopted the International Property Maintenance Code's weed standard as Code § 102-22(10)a: every premises has to stay free of weeds or plant growth over 14 inches, and noxious weeds are banned outright. Code Enforcement can serve a notice of violation, cut the weeds itself if the owner doesn't, and bill the owner for the cost.
Fayette County 14-Inch Weed and Grass Limit
Some RestrictionsFayette County Code § 102-22(10)a
(10)International Property Maintenance Code (ICC).a.302.4. Weeds. All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of 14 inches (exception listed below). All noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include crops, cultiv...
Water Restrictions
Outdoor irrigation in unincorporated Fayette County runs only before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. year-round under Code § 28-77. When the state EPD declares a drought response level, Fayette County Water System layers on tighter rules, including a two-day-a-week odd-even watering schedule under Drought Response Level 2 (§ 28-80). Fayette County Water System enforces the rule and issues escalating fines starting with a written warning.
Fayette County Odd-Even Watering Hours
Some RestrictionsFayette County Code §§ 28-77, 28-80(1)
(a)Year-round restrictions on watering hours. Subject to further limitations under any applicable declared drought response levels, customers may irrigate outdoor ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants such as grasses only before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m. ... (1)Outdoor irrigation limited to two days per week. Customers may irrigate outdoor ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plant...
Native Plants
Fayette County's nonresidential landscape ordinance defines native plants as species indigenous or naturalized to the area and lists dozens of them, from red maple to bald cypress, as approved planting material for meeting the county's landscape requirements. Fayette County Code §§ 104-112 and 104-116(a) put native species on equal footing with any other plant a landscape architect selects for a project.
Native Plants in Fayette County Landscape Rules
Few RestrictionsFayette County Code §§ 104-112, 104-116(a)
Native plants means plants indigenous or naturalized to a given area. ... Sec. 104-116. - Suggested planting materials. (a)Native plants. TREES (1 TO 8 FEET) Red bud Dogwood Red maple Sugar maple Southern magnolia Fringe tree Overcup oak Bald cypress Tulip poplar Willow oak River birch
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