Auckland Transport's proposed tough new rules on the city's berms will likely be tweaked after concerns from some local boards.

AT spokesman Mark Hannan said the organisation would be taking the concerns on board.

Under AT's proposed new regulations, all that will be allowed on berms are plants no higher than 30cm around trees and mailboxes, and over a total area of no more than two square metres.

Vegetable plants will not be permitted, and fruit trees would be banned because it's claimed they attract vermin.

Berms on the side of the footpath closest to a house may be planted, but only to a height of 60cm.

Hannan said the proposed guidelines would likely be tweaked based on submissions that have been received.

"It's logical there will be changes. That's the whole point of submissions and why we've asked for feedback," he said.

Of the 21 local boards, 15 had made submissions, not all of which were against the new guidelines.

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Hannan said the main issue with garden plantings on berms was keeping them maintained.

"What happens when the gardener sells the house and moves on or gets sick and can't maintain the berm? That would come back on the ratepayer," he said

In Hamilton, residents were required to put their verges back to grass once they moved house but in Auckland out-of-control berms would have to be regrassed by the council.

Hannan said the organisation had asked local boards for submissions "in confidence" on the proposed new guidelines for planting on roadside verges.

AT had held closed meetings with local boards on the proposals.

When asked if that meant the guidelines should not have been made public yet, he said it was up to the boards if they wanted to release information to the public.

"They represent the public on a local level so we wanted to consult with them," he said.

The submissions were due by the end of September but some local boards had not yet written their submissions and were granted an extension.

He had no comment to make on Mayor Len Brown's negative reaction to the new guidelines. Brown said last week AT needed to dial the proposal back.

"I think there is a practical outcome that we could address here and I don't want to see AT spend too much of their time and our money focusing on the issue of berms, we've by and large got that issue in a reasonable space," Brown said

NZ Gardener's petition to allow veges and fruit trees on berms has gained 3600 signatures.