Atlanta, GA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing provision
- Housing Code § 25(a)(7)
- Naturescape defined at
- Housing Code § 6
- Banned outright citywide
- Kudzu, Chinese wisteria
- Banned within naturescapes
- Thorny olive, autumn olive, Chinese privet
- General lawn height limit
- Grass/weeds under 12 inches
Summary
Atlanta's Housing Code recognizes naturescaping, landscaping built around native plants, as a lawful alternative to a manicured yard, exempting dead shrubs, trees, and stumps kept as part of a naturescape from the city's general yard-clearing duty, so long as they create no fire or safety hazard.
Remove all dead shrubs, dead trees, branches, and stumps with the exception of such tree parts being maintained as part of a naturescape area of a yard, which are not to create a safety or fire hazard. Any person violating these provisions shall be fined with penalties as provided in Subsection 18(d), titled "Penalties".
Full Breakdown
The Atlanta Housing Code (Appendix E to the City Code) defines a "naturescape" as landscaping that uses predominately native plants to create habitat for native insects, birds, and mammals while cutting water, pesticide, and fertilizer use, and it bars kudzu and Chinese wisteria outright, plus thorny olive, autumn olive, and Chinese privet within naturescape areas. Under the code's cleanliness-of-property rule, owners must otherwise clear dead shrubs, trees, branches, and stumps, but tree parts kept as part of a yard's naturescape area are excused from that removal duty unless they become a fire or safety hazard. Grass and other lawn vegetation still can't exceed 12 inches.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the cleanliness-of-property rule are enforced through Atlanta Municipal Court: a first conviction brings a fine of $250 to $1,000, rising to $1,000 fines or up to 180 days in jail for repeat offenses, plus a $50 reinspection fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my lawn with native plants in Atlanta?
Which plants are banned from an Atlanta naturescape?
What happens if I don't maintain my yard under these rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Atlanta
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Native Plants in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Fulton County handle native plants.