The Bronx is a dense urban borough with no wildland-urban interface, so there is no defensible space ordinance. Property owners must still maintain lots free of combustible debris, tall weeds, and rubbish under NYC Admin Code 16-118 and Fire Code FC 304.
Unlike western states, NYC has no wildfire defensible-space requirement. However, FC 304 requires owners to keep premises free of combustible waste, and HPD/DSNY enforce lot cleanliness. Vacant lots must be kept clear of brush, weeds over 10 inches, and junk. Pelham Bay Park and Van Cortlandt Park are managed by NYC Parks with their own fire-prevention protocols during dry periods.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Bronx County, NY
Weed control falls under NYC Admin Code 16-118 (lot cleanliness) and DEC invasive-species rules 6 NYCRR Part 575. Owners must keep yards clear of rank weeds;...
Bronx County, NY
NYC Admin Code 16-118 requires owners to keep lots free of weeds and rank growth. DSNY and HPD enforce. Practical threshold is around 10 inches of unchecked ...
Bronx County, NY
Rainwater harvesting is legal in The Bronx. NYC DEP actively encourages residential rain barrels through free giveaway events. Stored water is for non-potabl...
Bronx County, NY
All street trees in The Bronx belong to NYC Parks Department. It is illegal for residents to prune, trim, or damage a street tree without a free Parks work p...
Bronx County, NY
NYC supports native-plant landscaping. There are no turfgrass mandates in The Bronx, and the NYC Native Species Planting Guide is the standard reference for ...
Bronx County, NY
Removal of any street tree in The Bronx requires a NYC Parks permit and is rarely granted. Private tree removal on residential lots generally does not requir...
See how Bronx County's brush clearance rules stack up against other locations.
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