Native Plants
Landscaping Rules
Incentives or requirements for using native and drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping, and rules about replacing traditional lawns.
How Native Plants Rules Differ by Place
Marana, AZ: Marana Native Plant Protection
Heavy RestrictionsArizona Native Plant Law (ARS 3-904) protects saguaro cacti and other native plants. Removing, destroying, or transplanting protected native plants without a permit from the Arizona…
Oro Valley, AZ: Oro Valley Native Plant Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsNew development must use 50 percent or more native species in landscaping. ARS 3-904 protects saguaro, ironwood, and barrel cactus from removal without state permits.
Scottsdale, AZ: Scottsdale Native Plant Protection and Landscaping
Heavy RestrictionsScottsdale's Native Plant Ordinance (Chapter 46, Article V) is one of the most comprehensive in Arizona, protecting dozens of indigenous desert plant species. The Zoning Ordinance…
Anchorage, AK: Anchorage Credits Native Plant Stands
Few RestrictionsAnchorage lets developers count preserved native vegetation toward mandatory landscaping instead of installing all-new plantings.
Chandler, AZ: Chandler Native Plant and Xeriscape Requirements
Few RestrictionsChandler promotes native and drought-tolerant plants through xeriscape rebate programs. Plants must be from the Phoenix AMA Low-Water-Use list to qualify for city rebates, with 50%…
Mesa, AZ: Mesa Native Plant and Xeriscape Promotion
Few RestrictionsMesa actively promotes native and drought-tolerant plants through its Grass-to-Xeriscape program and water conservation initiatives. New developments must incorporate low-water…
Native Plants Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Arizona
Heavy RestrictionsThe Arizona Native Plant Law protects designated cacti, trees, and other species from destruction or removal without state permits, applying universally on private and public land…
California
Some RestrictionsAB-1572 prohibits using potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, institutional, and HOA-common areas, accelerating native and low-water landscape conversions…
Florida
Few RestrictionsFlorida Statute 373.185 declares Florida-friendly landscaping a matter of state policy and prohibits any deed restriction, covenant, or local ordinance from preventing property owners…
Hawaii
Heavy RestrictionsHawaii law protects endangered and threatened native plants on all lands statewide. Taking, destroying, or possessing listed native species without a permit is prohibited regardless of…
Maryland
Few RestrictionsMaryland law universally prohibits homeowner associations and similar covenants from banning low-impact landscaping such as pollinator gardens, rain gardens, native plants, and…
Nevada
Heavy RestrictionsNRS 527.260 through 527.300 establishes a statewide program to protect, conserve, and restore native flora threatened with extinction, requiring permits from the State Forester…
South Dakota
Few RestrictionsSouth Dakota imposes no statewide mandate or prohibition on native plant landscaping. The one substantive constraint is SDCL Chapter 38-22 noxious weed control: even natural or prairie…
Cities & Counties with Native Plants Rules
596 locations
Alabama
Arizona
Arkansas
Other Landscaping Rules Topics
Tree Trimming
Rules about trimming trees that overhang sidewalks, streets, or neighboring properties, and when you need permission to prune city trees.
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.
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.
Water Restrictions
Watering schedules, drought restrictions, and limits on outdoor irrigation including which days and times you can water your lawn.
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.
Artificial Turf
Rules about installing synthetic grass, including whether it counts toward water-saving rebates and any HOA or city restrictions.
Composting
Rules for backyard composting bins and piles plus curbside organics, bin requirements, allowed materials, setbacks, pest control, and any mandated diversion programs.