Landscaping Rules in Wake County, NC (2026)
4 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 3 cities in Wake County, North Carolina.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Wake County requires a tree and vegetation protection zone along new development sites to stay undisturbed unless the Planning Director permits removal for reasonable use of the property.
Wake County Tree Protection Zone Removal
Significant RestrictionsWake County UDO § 16-12-2(B)
The standards of this section generally require that the tree and vegetation protection zone remain undisturbed and that trees and vegetation within the zone be preserved, except that the Planning Director may permit land disturbance and tree and vegetation removal within the protection zone when deemed necessary to allow for reasonable use and development of the property in accordance with Sec...
Weed Ordinances
Wake County, North Carolina enforces overgrown-lot and weed-nuisance complaints in unincorporated Wake County through the public-health nuisance abatement authority granted to North Carolina counties by N.C. Gen. Stat. §153A-140, which states that "A county shall have authority by ordinance to require that conditions detrimental to the public health be corrected, and to provide that, upon the failure of the owner of real property to correct such conditions, the county may cause such corrections to be made." Wake County Planning, Development & Inspections (919-856-6310; wake.planning@wake.gov; 336 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, NC 27602) is the entry point for complaints concerning unincorporated parcels. Wake County does not publish a single numeric grass-height threshold; enforcement applies a nuisance / health-and-safety standard, asking whether vegetation harbors vermin, creates a fire hazard, attracts illegal dumping, or impedes sight distance at intersections. County rules apply only in unincorporated Wake County. Raleigh, Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, Garner, Knightdale, Wake Forest, Morrisville, Rolesville, Wendell, and Zebulon each enforce their own city tall-grass and overgrowth codes.
Wake County, NC Overgrown Lot & Weed Nuisance Enforcement (NCGS §153A-140 + Wake County UDO)
Some RestrictionsNC General Statutes § 153A-140
A county shall have authority, subject to the provisions of Article 57 of Chapter 106 of the General Statutes, to remove, abate, or remedy everything that is dangerous or prejudicial to the public health or safety. ... The expense of the action shall be paid by the person in default, and, if not paid, shall be a lien upon the land or premises where the nuisance arose. ... This section shall not...
Water Restrictions
Wake County water customers in unincorporated areas served by City of Raleigh Public Utilities follow Raleigh's Water Conservation Ordinance (Code Ch. 8). Odd/even day watering may be triggered during droughts. Each Wake municipality has its own conservation tier rules.
Wake County Water Conservation Rules
Some RestrictionsCity of Raleigh — Stage 1 Water Restrictions (serves Wake County customers)
Water only between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesdays; even-numbered addresses: Wednesdays. Handheld hoses and drip irrigation: Allowed anytime. Restaurants will serve tap water only upon request. Hotels, motels, and B&Bs will ask guests staying more than one night to reuse towels and bedsheets. Residents who are caught violating the restrictions will be given a warning. Afte...
Artificial Turf
Wake County does not count artificial turf as impervious surface when it's installed over a pervious base per the manufacturer's specifications, easing stormwater coverage limits for yards.
Wake County Artificial Turf Impervious Exemption
Few RestrictionsWake County UDO § 21-11 (definition of "Impervious Surface")
Impervious Surface means any surface, or built-upon area, that obstructs or prevents infiltration of water into soil. None of the following surfaces shall be considered built-upon area or an impervious or partially impervious surface. ... 6. Artificial turf, installed over a pervious surface according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Landscaping Rules by City in Wake County
3 cities in Wake County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Wake County ordinances
See every category we cover for Wake County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
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