Landscaping Rules in Forsyth County, NC (2026)

2 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Forsyth County, North Carolina.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Forsyth County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County requires tree preservation on development, not on routine homeowner tree removal. Any project needing a land-disturbing (erosion control) permit must meet UDO tree-preservation standards; single homeowners doing non-construction tree work are exempt.

Tree Removal Permits for Development in Forsyth County

Some Restrictions

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County UDO Section B.3-4.2

Any development project or building permit requiring a land disturbing permit (erosion control permit), either issued through the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Inspections Office or the North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources (NCDENR), unless otherwise exempted by the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), must comply with the Tree Preservation requirements of UDO Section B....

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

Forsyth County's Minimum Housing Standards require that yards and areas surrounding an occupied dwelling be kept free of noxious weeds and plant growth that harm health or shelter insects and rodents. The rule sits inside the county's sanitation standards for dwellings, enforced by the housing administrator, not a stand-alone grass-height code.

Weed & Tall Grass Rule in Forsyth County

Some Restrictions

Forsyth County Code Sec. 7-117(f)

Sec. 7-117. - Minimum standards for sanitation. (f)Noxious weeds and tall grass. Yards and areas surrounding a dwelling shall be kept free of species of weeds or plant growth which are noxious or detrimental to health or provide breeding places for insect or rodent infestation.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Landscaping Rules by City in Forsyth County

1 cities in Forsyth County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

Winston-SalemPop. 249,545

4 verified rules • Native Plants, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

All Forsyth County ordinances

See every category we cover for Forsyth County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Forsyth County Ordinance Hub →