9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Ramsey County sets no grass-height rule for residential yards. Each city does. In St. Paul (the county seat), grass or weeds eight inches or more in height is a public nuisance that must be cut, or the city cuts it and bills you.
St. Paul Legislative Code Ch. 45 (Nuisance Abatement)
The Saint Paul Legislative Code, Chapter 45, requires property owners and/or occupants to keep the grass and/or weeds less than eight (8) inches in height.
Ramsey County does not regulate tree trimming on private land. You may prune trees on your own property freely. In St. Paul, any work on a public boulevard (street) tree — including pruning — requires a free permit from Saint Paul Forestry.
St. Paul Forestry — Boulevard Tree Permit
All maintenance work being performed on public boulevard trees requires a free permit issued by Saint Paul Forestry. This includes planting, stumping, treating, trimming, or removal.
Ramsey County requires no permit to remove a tree on private property. Removing a public boulevard tree requires a St. Paul Forestry permit. Ash trees are being removed citywide under Saint Paul's emerald-ash-borer 'Structured Removal' program.
St. Paul Forestry — EAB Structured Removal
The City of Saint Paul has, since 2010, employed the 'Structured Removal' of ash in order to strategically reduce the total percentage of ash trees on boulevards and in parks throughout Saint Paul.
Under the Minnesota Noxious Weed Law (Minn. Stat. §18.75–.91), every landowner and occupant must control state-listed noxious weeds. Ramsey County has no separate weed ordinance; cities enforce local tall-weed limits (St. Paul: eight inches).
Minn. Stat. §18.78, subd. 1
A person owning land, a person occupying land, or a person responsible for the maintenance of public land must manage all noxious weeds, according to the noxious weed categories under section 18.771, on the land at a time and in a manner ordered by an inspector or county-designated employee.
Ramsey County sets no watering schedule. St. Paul Regional Water Services (SPRWS) enforces even/odd-address outdoor watering during drought: odd addresses water on odd days, even on even days, and only before noon or after 6 p.m. Fines can reach $150.
SPRWS Outdoor Watering Restrictions (drought)
Customers with odd-numbered addresses are asked to limit outdoor watering to odd-numbered days of the month, while customers with even-numbered addresses are asked to limit outdoor water use to even-numbered days of the month. Outdoor watering can only take place before noon or after 6 p.m. any day.
Neither Ramsey County nor Minnesota bans residential rainwater harvesting. Rain barrels and rain gardens are actively promoted for stormwater management, and Ramsey County and its watershed districts have offered cost-share grants for them.
Minnesota law protects native landscaping from blanket 'tall weeds' bans, and cities like Saint Paul allow managed native plantings. Ramsey County has no rule against native gardens; the state and watershed districts encourage pollinator lawns.
Ramsey County has no ordinance on artificial turf. Whether synthetic lawns are allowed, and any coverage or permit rules, are set by your city's zoning and stormwater codes. Many Twin Cities suburbs limit impervious surface, which can affect turf.
Ramsey County supports backyard composting and runs free yard-waste and organics drop-off sites for residents. The county advises contacting your city about specific composting rules and restrictions on bins and setbacks.
Ramsey County — Backyard Composting guidance
You can add small amounts of leaves, grass clippings, twigs and other plant material (except weeds gone to seed)... Do not add compostable plastics. They will not break down in a backyard compost bin. Contact your city about rules and restrictions.
1 cities in Ramsey County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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Ramsey County Ordinance Hub →