Yellowstone County, MT Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Section
- Zoning Code § 27-1208.B (Plant Selection)
- Bonus
- 15% for 50-75% naturalized plant materials
- Bonus
- 25% for 100% naturalized plant materials
- HOA limit
- cannot conflict with naturalized-plant standard
- Reviewer
- Yellowstone County zoning coordinator
Summary
New development in unincorporated Yellowstone County must select landscape plan materials for adaptability to the native environment under Section 27-1208.B, using the County's Plant List of naturalized species, and can earn 15 to 25 percent bonus landscape points for naturalized plantings.
B. PLANT SELECTION
1. Tree and plant materials shall be selected for: energy efficiency and water efficiency; adaptability and relationship to the native environment; color, form and pattern; ability to provide shade; soil retention; and resistance to fire. The overall landscape plan shall be integrated with all elements of the project, such as buildings, parking lots, and streets, and to achieve a desirable microclimate and minimize energy demand.
2. The Yellowstone County Plant List shall identify appropriate naturalized plant species for use in required landscaping areas. Landscape architects or landscape designers may suggest species that are not included on the list that are known to them to be able to thrive in the Yellowstone County area.
Full Breakdown
Yellowstone County promotes native and naturalized landscaping through Article 27-1200, Landscaping, which governs new development in unincorporated Yellowstone County. C states the article's purpose includes conserving water resources by promoting the use of xeriscaping and drought-tolerant naturalized plantings. B: tree and plant materials on a required landscape plan shall be selected for adaptability and relationship to the native environment, among factors such as water efficiency and fire resistance, and the Yellowstone County Plant List shall identify appropriate naturalized plant species for use in required landscaping areas.
Landscape architects may still propose species outside that list if they know the plant can thrive locally. 2 backs the standard with a preemption of contrary private rules: homeowners associations may not establish landscaping standards that conflict with the naturalized plant or water conservation provisions of the article once a landscape plan is approved through a zoning compliance permit. 5: a project earns a 15 percent bonus for using 50 to 75 percent local, naturalized plant materials, 20 percent for 75 to 99 percent, and 25 percent for 100 percent naturalized materials in new plantings.
Violations & Fines
Installing a landscape plan that ignores the native/naturalized plant-selection standard, or applying an HOA covenant that conflicts with it, can hold up or invalidate a zoning compliance permit; the zoning coordinator must approve the landscape plan under Section 27-1203.D before a permit issues. Using a required landscape area for materials that fail the standard is enforceable as a Zoning Code violation under Section 27-1704.G, a misdemeanor with a fine up to the state statutory limit or up to six months in jail, each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yellowstone County require native plants in new landscaping?
Can my homeowners association require non-native turf instead?
Who checks whether a landscape plan meets the naturalized-planting standard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yellowstone County
Compare Yellowstone County to another location·View the Montana landscaping rules overview
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