Landscaping Rules in Jefferson County, AL (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Jefferson County, Alabama.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Jefferson County requires shade trees planted as required parking lot landscaping to be trimmed and maintained at a minimum height of eight feet above finished grade once they reach adequate size, and planted so branches do not interfere with roadways, sidewalks, utilities or sight easements. The Director of Development Services must approve tree placement as part of the site's Landscape Plan.
Jefferson County Parking Lot Shade Tree Trim Height
Some RestrictionsJefferson County Zoning Regulations § 1303 (Minimum Landscaping Requirements for Off-Street Parking), General Requirements ¶ (d) "Shade Trees"
d. Shade Trees 1. Location: Trees shall be either massed or strategically spaced on the site, or both. Trees shall be planted so as not to interfere with utilities, roadways, sidewalks, sight easements, or street lights. Tree location, landscaping design, and spacing plan shall be approved by the Director of Development Services as part of the Landscape Plan. 2. Maintenance Specifications: Upon...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Jefferson County's off-street parking landscaping code lets developers count an existing healthy tree toward planting requirements at one and one-half trees, but only if it is at least four inches in caliper and its preservation is approved by the Department of Development Services. Once credited, that tree carries the same maintenance and replacement duty as any newly planted tree under Zoning Section 1303.
Jefferson County Tree Replacement Landscaping Rule
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, AL Zoning Regulations § 1303.06–1303.07 (Landscaping Requirements for Off-Street Parking — Existing Trees)
Existing Trees: Preservation of each existing healthy tree of an approved species, within required landscape areas, shall count as one and one-half (1-1/2) trees toward fulfillment of these requirements. a) The existing tree to be preserved must be at least four (4) inches in caliper to receive credit. b) Methods for preserving existing trees shall be subject to review and approval by the Depar...
Weed Ordinances
Jefferson County's weed rules come from its own Weed and Litter Ordinance, No. 1188, adopted under a constitutional amendment and local acts, because Alabama counties have no home rule. Weeds over 12 inches are unlawful in unincorporated areas.
Jefferson County Weed & Overgrowth Ordinances
Some RestrictionsAla. Code § 45-37-170.01; Jefferson County Ord. No. 1188
(a) Pursuant to Amendment 497 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, now appearing as Official Recompilation of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, Local Amendments, Jefferson County, § 10 the Jefferson County Commission is hereby authorized to enact ordinances to do all of the following: (1) Prohibit the overgrowth of weeds and the storage and accumulation of junk, inoperable motor vehicles,...
Native Plants
Planned Unit Developments in unincorporated Jefferson County must plant only native tree species in rights-of-way and common areas, with substitutions allowed only if the County approves an exception. Zoning Resolution Section 701.09 also pushes shrubs native to north and central Alabama throughout the development and requires native plantings in any street-side rain garden or bioswale that replaces the standard shade-tree strip.
Jefferson County PUD Native Plant Mandate
Some RestrictionsJefferson County, AL Zoning Resolution § 701.09(1)(c), (2)(c)
c. Only native tree species shall be used in right-of-way or common areas. Exceptions may be permitted if approved by the County. The use of shrubs native to the north and central Alabama region is highly encouraged within all areas of the development. ... c. If vegetated rain gardens, bio-retention, or bioswales are located within the planting strips, the requirement for shade trees will be re...
Landscaping Rules by City in Jefferson County
3 cities in Jefferson County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Jefferson County ordinances
See every category we cover for Jefferson County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Jefferson County Ordinance Hub →