Washoe County, NV Landscaping Rules: Tree Trimming (2026)
Key Facts
- County pruning rule
- None (ornamental)
- Crown-to-structure clearance
- Prune to 10 feet
- Ground clearance
- Remove limbs under 6 feet
- Applies in
- WUI hazard zones (TMFPD)
- Overhanging branches
- Civil, not county code
Summary
Unincorporated Washoe County has no general tree-trimming ordinance, but in Truckee Meadows Fire District wildland-urban interface zones the WUI Code requires pruning tree crowns to keep clearance from structures and the ground.
Tree crowns extending to within 10 feet (3048 mm) of any structure shall be pruned to maintain a minimum horizontal clearance of 10 feet (3048 mm). Tree crowns within the Defensible Space shall be pruned to remove limbs located less than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the ground surface adjacent to the trees.
Full Breakdown
Routine ornamental pruning is unregulated in unincorporated Washoe County. The load-bearing trimming rule is wildfire-driven: the Truckee Meadows Fire Protection District enforces the International Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Code in Moderate, High and Extreme hazard zones. Under WUI Code standards, tree crowns extending within 10 feet of a structure must be pruned to a minimum 10-foot horizontal clearance, and crowns within the defensible-space area must be pruned to remove limbs less than 6 feet above the ground. Trimming a neighbor's overhanging branches at your property line is a civil matter, not a county code violation.
Violations & Fines
TMFPD may issue a defensible-space correction notice for non-compliant trees in a WUI hazard zone; unresolved hazards can lead to abatement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need permission to trim my own trees?
Can I cut branches hanging over my fence?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Washoe County
Compare Washoe County to another location·View the Nevada landscaping rules overview
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