Jefferson County has no ordinance mandating or restricting native plant landscaping. Xeriscaping is permitted. Alabama has NO HOA xeriscaping protection law, so HOAs may restrict native/drought-tolerant landscaping.
Jefferson County and Birmingham do not regulate native plant landscaping. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Auburn University) provides native plant guides for the Piedmont and Appalachian regions. The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Jefferson County Master Gardeners program promote native species. Unlike Florida, Texas, Colorado, and California, Alabama has NOT enacted a homeowner right to xeriscape or native landscaping. HOAs in Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Mountain Brook, and other planned communities may legally require traditional turf grass in CC&Rs. Invasive species removal is encouraged (kudzu, privet, Chinese wisteria common in Jefferson County) but not mandated. State noxious weed law (Alabama Code §2-15-210) addresses agricultural invasives primarily.
No municipal penalties for native plant installation. HOA CC&R violations: fines per governing documents, fully enforceable in Alabama. No state law protection for homeowner xeriscaping rights.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham City Code section 11-8-23 bars sounding a vehicle horn or signal device for more than 30 seconds except as a danger warning, requires effective mu...
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham's noise ordinance expressly exempts noise from the operation of the Birmingham International Airport (City Code sec. 11-8-25(3)). In-flight aircra...
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham City Code section 11-8-23(8) makes amplified sound, stereos, TVs and musical instruments a nuisance when plainly audible 50 feet from a building o...
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham does not impose a blanket residential overnight on-street parking ban, but Title 10, Chapter 9 of the City Code prohibits leaving a vehicle parked...
Birmingham, AL
A retaining wall is defined in Birmingham's ordinance as a block, brick, or stone structure erected to retain or prevent encroaching soil. A front-yard retai...
Birmingham, AL
General Birmingham fence requirements prohibit any fence, wall, or planting that obstructs traffic visibility and creates a 'line of sight' problem as determ...
See how Birmingham's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.