Yard Maintenance and Tree Removal

Maintaining Your Yard

Community appearance is a priority for the City Council. The City's Code Enforcement ordinances require yards to be maintained and free of trash and debris. Vehicles may not be parked on grass and must be parked on an all-weather surface.

Fall Alert: Help keep storm drains functioning properly. Do not rake or sweep fallen leaves into drainage structures or ditches.

Trees

The City of Sandy Springs employs arborists who enforce the Tree Conservation Ordinance and can provide guidance regarding tree removal requirements. City arborists do not perform tree removals or tree health assessments. Residents should contact qualified private companies for those services.

A tree removal permit is required for the removal of:

• Any hardwood or pine tree 18 inches Diameter at Breast Height (DBH) or larger
• Any dogwood or redbud tree 10 inches DBH or larger
• Any tree located within the Chattahoochee River Corridor or a stream buffer

For additional information, visit the Tree Removal Permits page.

Invasive Plants

Ivy-covered charm or ivy-covered harm? Once a popular garden plant, English ivy (Hedera helix) is an invasive non-native species that can displace native plants, threaten tree health, and negatively impact the environment. Property owners are responsible for the health and maintenance of trees on their property. Visit the English Ivy page to learn more.

Streams and Creeks

Residents are responsible for the care and maintenance of streams and creeks located on their property.

Stormwater

Protecting streams, reducing pollution, and preserving aquatic ecosystems are among the City's priorities. Stormwater regulations focus on treating stormwater at its source, reducing runoff, and encouraging infiltration back into the groundwater system.

For more information, visit the Stormwater page under Natural Resource Protection.

Ten Things You Can Do to Help Prevent Stormwater Damage

• Never dump anything on the street, into a storm drain, or into a drainage ditch.
• Scoop up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash.
• Compost grass clippings and leaves, or bag them for curbside collection. Do not blow them into the street.
• Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly and avoid applying them on paved surfaces.
• Check vehicles for leaks and repair them promptly.
• Reduce, reuse, and recycle cleaning and maintenance chemicals used at home.
• Recycle used motor oil and other vehicle fluids.
• Dispose of litter properly.
• Wash vehicles at a commercial car wash or on a grassy area rather than on a driveway.
• Share information about preventing stormwater pollution with friends and neighbors.

Yard Signs

The City of Sandy Springs has sign ordinances that regulate the type and number of signs permitted on private property to help prevent sign clutter. In single-family and multifamily residential areas, each lot may display up to two signs without obtaining a permit. One sign may be an Expanded Informational Sign or a Cantilever Sign. The second sign may only be a Standard Informational Sign.

For examples of these sign types, visit the Sign Permits page.