Landscaping Rules in Spartanburg County, SC (2026)
4 rules for unincorporated Spartanburg County, South Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Spartanburg, all tree pruning must follow National Arborist Association shade-tree standards, and "topping" any street, park, or public tree is unlawful. The county sets no pruning rule for private yard trees.
Tree Trimming and Pruning Rules in Spartanburg
Some RestrictionsCity of Spartanburg Code § 38-23(b)
All pruning of trees shall comply with the National Arborists Association, Pruning Standards for Shade Trees.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Spartanburg County requires no permit to remove trees on private residential land. The City of Spartanburg protects public and street trees through its tree board and triggers tree-protection review when land disturbance removes trees four inches or larger.
Tree Removal Permits in Spartanburg
Some RestrictionsCity of Spartanburg Code § 38-22
Land disturbance activity means: ... Clearing or otherwise removing trees (four inches or greater) on a site.
Weed Ordinances
Unincorporated Spartanburg County adopted the International Property Maintenance Code and rewrote its weed-and-plant-growth standard, IPMC § 302.4, to set the local limit at 18 inches. The Building Codes/Fire Services Department and Environmental Enforcement Department enforce it through the county's own notice-and-order process.
Spartanburg County Caps Weeds and Grass at 18 Inches
Some RestrictionsSpartanburg County Code §§ 10-161, 10-162 (IPMC § 302.4 as amended)
...is hereby adopted as the International Property Maintenance Code of Spartanburg County, in the State of South Carolina; for regulating and governing the conditions and maintenance of all property, buildings and structures as herein provided... The following sections of the International Property Maintenance Code adopted in section 10-161 are hereby revised: Section 103.1. Insert: Building Co...
Native Plants
Spartanburg County does not mandate native landscaping. The City of Spartanburg publishes an official approved street-tree list, and no species may be planted as a street tree without written permission unless it is on the list.
Native and Approved Plantings in Spartanburg
Some RestrictionsCity of Spartanburg Code § 38-50
The list contained in this section constitutes the official street trees for the city. No species may be planted as street trees without written permission except those included in the list.
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