8 rules for unincorporated Nassau County, New York.
Verified from official government sources
Nassau County grass height limits are set by individual towns and villages, typically capping lawns at 8 to 10 inches. The Town of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay all enforce similar standards through property maintenance codes, with escalating fines for repeat violations.
Street trees in Nassau County are typically owned and maintained by the municipality (town or incorporated village). Residents may NOT prune, top, or remove street trees without a permit. Private trees on your own property generally require no permit to trim, but protected/heritage tree ordinances exist in some villages.
Tree removal on private property in most of Nassau County is unregulated, but several incorporated villages (particularly on the North Shore Gold Coast) have strict tree preservation ordinances requiring permits to remove trees over specified diameters, typically 6-12 inches DBH (diameter at breast height).
Nassau County towns enforce weed ordinances through the same property maintenance codes that govern grass height, typically prohibiting noxious weeds over 10 inches tall. State DEC invasive species rules (6 NYCRR Part 575) also apply to listed invasive plants like Japanese knotweed and mile-a-minute weed.
Nassau County sits atop the federally-designated Long Island Sole Source Aquifer, the only drinking water source for 3 million Long Island residents. Nassau County Department of Public Works enforces year-round odd-even lawn watering restrictions, and individual water districts may impose additional drought rules.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Nassau County, with no state or county permit required for residential rain barrels used for lawn and garden irrigation. Given Long Island Sole Source Aquifer concerns, capturing rain for outdoor use reduces aquifer demand.
Native plant landscaping is encouraged in Nassau County with no restrictions on installing native species. Several villages offer incentives for replacing lawns with native meadows or pollinator gardens. HOA and village aesthetic rules may still require neat appearance and define meadow plantings as landscaping, not weeds.
Artificial turf installation on residential lawns in Nassau County is generally allowed but regulated by some towns and villages, with particular concerns about stormwater runoff and PFAS chemicals. Several Nassau villages have moved to restrict artificial turf in athletic field replacements over environmental concerns.
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