Landscaping Rules in New Castle County, DE (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in New Castle County, Delaware.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
New Castle County requires owners to keep shrubbery off sidewalks and streets and trim tree branches to at least 7 feet above any sidewalk, enforced under the county's Property Maintenance Code.
New Castle County Tree and Shrub Sidewalk Clearance
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (Property Maintenance Code § 302.12)
302.12 Encroachment on sidewalk. In any zoning district it shall be the duty of the owner for a property to keep shrubbery trimmed so that it does not encroach upon or extend beyond the line of any sidewalk or public street and trim trees so that no branch extends below a height of 7 feet above the width of any sidewalk.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removed specimen trees on development sites must be replaced under a size-based table, from 5 to 12 replacement trees per tree taken down.
New Castle County Tree Replacement
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 40.23.320
Where specimen trees are removed, they shall be replaced in accordance with Table 40.23.320. The replacement trees shall be planted on the same parcel as the tree being removed... Off-site replacement trees shall be planted at a ratio of two to one (2:1). ... 16.00 to 23.99 [DBH] ... 5 [replacement trees] ... 3" canopy trees ... 40.00 or greater ... 12 ... 6 - 4" and 6 - 3" canopy trees
Weed Ordinances
New Castle County caps weeds and grass at 8 inches on developed parcels, with a 20-foot buffer rule for larger lots and undeveloped land near developed parcels.
New Castle County Grass and Weed Height Limit
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (PMC § 302.4.2)
302.4.2 Developed parcels. Weeds and grass on developed parcels shall be no more than 8 inches high; provided, however, on a parcel of land that is larger than 1 acre and has a building lot coverage of less than 5 percent, weeds and grass shall be no more than 8 inches high within 20 feet of any property line.
Native Plants
New Castle County exempts pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and wildflower meadows from its weed ordinance, but plants must come from DNREC and Delaware Department of Agriculture native plant lists, with setback and coverage limits.
New Castle County Native Garden Rules
Some RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 7.01.002 (Property Maintenance Code § 302.4.10.3-.4)
302.4.10.2 Pollinator gardens must contain at least two pollinator-friendly species. 302.4.10.3 Plants used to make up a pollinator garden or rain garden shall come from the native plant lists maintained by the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the Delaware Department of Agriculture. 302.4.10.4 Plants included in the "Plants to Avoid" list contained in the ...
Composting
Residents may compost or mulch yard and kitchen waste generated on their own property as a by-right accessory use, but bringing in material from elsewhere is not covered by this residential allowance.
New Castle County Home Composting Rule
Light RestrictionsNew Castle County Code § 40.03.410.L
Mulching and composting. Mulching or composting conducted by the resident using material (both yard waste and kitchen waste) found and generated on-site and not to include material from other property.
Landscaping Rules by City in New Castle County
1 cities in New Castle County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All New Castle County ordinances
See every category we cover for New Castle County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
New Castle County Ordinance Hub →