Landscaping Rules in Lexington County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Lexington County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Lexington County Code § 14-131(2)d bars topping or canopy reduction of trees required under the county's Landscape and Open Space Ordinance, but allows 'clearance pruning' when needed for sight distance, building clearance, or the ingress and egress of utilities, vehicles or pedestrians. Required trees must otherwise be pruned and maintained to ANSI A300 standards and allowed to grow in their natural form.
Lexington County Tree Clearance Pruning Rule
Some RestrictionsLexington County Code of Ordinances § 14-131(2)d
Sec. 14-131. - General. (2)Planting and maintenance...d.New trees must be planted properly, to include soil/site preparation and protection of roots. All vegetation to conform to ANSI A300 standards in regards to selection, planting, staking, pruning, and maintenance. Topping or canopy reduction of trees is not allowed. Trees shall be allowed to grow in their natural form when utilized to meet ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a protected trophy tree in Lexington County triggers mandatory mitigation planting at a 3-to-1 diameter ratio, set by the county's Landscape and Open Space Ordinance.
Lexington County Trophy Tree Replacement
Some RestrictionsLexington County, SC Code of Ordinances § 14-131(3)e
In the event that an existing trophy tree is permitted to be removed, the landscape administrator shall require either the protection of equivalent mature trees or additional tree plantings equivalent to three inches of D.B.H. for every one inch of D.B.H. of the trophy tree removed. A minimum of a three-inch caliper/12 feet tall to four-inch caliper/15 feet tall tree shall be used for tree plan...
Weed Ordinances
In Lexington County's Neighborhood Appearance District, residential yards, lawns, and grassed areas must stay evenly mowed and can't be left to grow uncontrolled under Zoning Ordinance Section 51.10(b). Landscaped beds have to stay predominately free of uncultivated weeds, and dumping yard debris or leaf litter into the road or storm drains is banned outright.
Lexington County Yard Mowing and Weed Rule
Some RestrictionsLexington County Zoning Ordinance § 51.10(b)
(b)Un-kept Yards and Landscaped Areas - Grassed areas, lawns, and yard areas are to be maintained in an evenly mowed condition and not allowed to grow uncontrolled. Landscaped areas and foundation plantings shall be properly maintained so that woody plant materials do not block ingress/egress to a residence, impair vehicle vision clearance and/or sight distance, or cause structural disrepair. L...
Water Restrictions
Lexington County Council can proclaim moderate, severe, or extreme drought and order water-use curtailment for the unincorporated county under the county's Drought Response Plan, Code of Ordinances Chapter 26, Article III. Once council adopts a resolution finding drought conditions, the county administrator must publish a public notice in a newspaper of general circulation listing which water uses are voluntarily or mandatorily curtailed, and violators of a mandatory order face criminal penalties.
Lexington County Drought Watering Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsLexington County, SC Code of Ordinances Sec. 26-67
(a)The county council may proclaim that moderate, severe or extreme drought conditions or water shortages are present and expected to persist based upon information reported to the body by the state water resources commission, county administrator or designee, or other sources which monitor water supply or delivery.(b)If such a determination is made, the council shall adopt a resolution which s...
All Lexington County ordinances
See every category we cover for Lexington County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Lexington County Ordinance Hub →