Bellevue, WA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Bellevue Parks and Utilities actively promote native Pacific Northwest landscaping through programs including NatureMapping, Salmon-Safe, and Green Tools partnerships with King County. Native plants such as sword fern, salal, Oregon grape, red-flowering currant, vine maple, red cedar, and Douglas fir are well-adapted to the Puget Sound climate, require minimal irrigation once established, and provide habitat for native wildlife. Bellevue Critical Areas Ordinance LUC 20.25H frequently requires native plant species for mitigation plantings in wetland buffers, stream buffers, and steep slope areas following any permitted disturbance. Street tree planting lists maintained by Bellevue Transportation prioritize climate-appropriate species though not exclusively natives. The city does not mandate native landscaping for single-family residential properties - homeowners remain free to plant ornamental and non-native species - but Bellevue utility conservation programs offer rebates for water-efficient native landscape conversions. Invasive non-native species on the King County noxious weed list must be controlled. Residents can consult the King Conservation District native plant sale and local nurseries like Molbak Growing and Giving for native plant sources.