Landscaping Rules in Ramsey County, MN (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
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.
Trimming your own tree is unregulated; boulevard trees need a city permit
Some RestrictionsSt. 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.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Ramsey County issues no tree-removal permit for private property. In Saint Paul, no permit is required to remove a private tree, but any work on a public boulevard tree, including removal, requires a free Saint Paul Forestry permit.
No county tree-removal permit; St. Paul permits public boulevard trees
Some RestrictionsSt. 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.
Weed Ordinances
Ramsey County (Minnesota) sets no residential grass-height limit for its cities: that is municipal (St. Paul requires grass/weeds under eight inches). Statewide, Minn. Stat. §18.78 makes every landowner responsible for controlling noxious weeds as ordered by an inspector.
Tall Grass, Weeds, and Noxious Weeds
Some RestrictionsMinn. 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.
Water Restrictions
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.
St. Paul Regional Water enforces even/odd sprinkling in drought
Some RestrictionsSPRWS 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.
Composting
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.
Backyard composting is allowed; check your city for bin rules
Some RestrictionsRamsey 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.
Landscaping Rules by City in Ramsey County
1 cities in Ramsey County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Ramsey County ordinances
See every category we cover for Ramsey County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Ramsey County Ordinance Hub →