Landscaping Rules in North Dakota (2026)
13 rules on the books across North Dakota, 3 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Tree Trimming
Rules about trimming trees that overhang sidewalks, streets, or neighboring properties, and when you need permission to prune city trees.
Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo Municipal Code § 19-0202 requires owners of property adjoining public rights-of-way to keep trees, shrubs, and…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks City Code makes every property owner and tenant responsible for trimming shade trees along the public…
Read full rule →Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Permit requirements for removing trees on private property, protected and significant tree thresholds, replacement planting standards, and the penalties for unpermitted removal.
Grand Forks
Significant RestrictionsThe City of Grand Forks declares any elm tree infected with Dutch elm disease a public nuisance, and the Park…
Read full rule →Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo requires a written permit from the city forester before anyone plants, removes, cuts, or prunes any tree or shrub…
Read full rule →Weed Ordinances
Requirements to keep weeds and grass below a set height, the numeric limits (commonly 8 to 12 inches), abatement notices, and the liens cities can place after mowing it themselves.
North Dakota: statewide
StatewideHeavy RestrictionsNorth Dakota Century Code § 4.1-47-02 makes it every person's duty to control the spread of noxious weeds and bars…
Read full rule →Cass County
Some RestrictionsCass County's Weed Management Plan ordinance makes developers and construction managers file a weed-control plan for…
Read full rule →Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo law caps grass and weed growth at eight inches on private lots, alleys, and street rights-of-way, with the health…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks caps grass and weeds at eight inches under section 10-0703, declaring anything predominantly taller a…
Read full rule →Water Restrictions
Watering schedules, drought restrictions, and limits on outdoor irrigation including which days and times you can water your lawn.
Fargo
Some RestrictionsFargo's water department can impose a lawn and garden irrigation schedule once the city commission declares a drought…
Read full rule →Grand Forks
Some RestrictionsGrand Forks City Code Article 3 of Chapter XV lets the city representative, with the city administrator's concurrence…
Read full rule →Rainwater Harvesting
Whether you can collect rainwater, how much you can store, and any permits or tank size restrictions for residential rain barrels and cisterns.
Native Plants
Incentives or requirements for using native and drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping, and rules about replacing traditional lawns.
Composting
Rules for backyard composting bins and piles plus curbside organics, bin requirements, allowed materials, setbacks, pest control, and any mandated diversion programs.