I have code like "create a label" or "draw a tree" that I don't consider game logic but would using it violate the "from scratch" rule? Just want to make sure it would follow the rules. Or would I need to write that again from scratch or not include it at all? Thanks.

I know this is a late response and I'm not an organizer of this event - but this "from scratch" rule typically means not to reuse game mechanics you've implemented before. Such as slapping in a fishing minigame that has been made way before. You should be good to reuse any "tool" based code you've written before, however realistically I've never seen anyone penalised for breaking this rule (except for people who were obviously just submitting one game to multiple jams, with very minor modifications).

"Start from scratch” means you cannot make a game before the announcement. Some submissions may have already existed, but the question is: how can the organizers know if a game was truly made from scratch for the fairness of the jam? “Start from scratch during the event” means you cannot develop the game, especially the core game logic, before the jam officially begins. I know this because I’ve participated in some jams before, and many people have cheated by preparing games ahead of time, sometimes even using projects made a year ago, just remodeling or adding random elements, and still managed to win.