Blaine, MN Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Section 90-25 lists the exceptions to Blaine's eight-inch weeds and tall grass rule, and the first is the "managed natural landscape" authorized by Minnesota Statutes section 412.925. Section 90-19 defines that landscape as a planned, intentional and maintained planting of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs or trees, expressly including rain gardens, meadow vegetation and ornamental plants, but it does not cover a turf lawn simply left unattended to return to a natural state. To keep the exception, section 90-25(1) requires the planting to avoid any species classified as a noxious weed, stay off the public right-of-way or boulevard, and avoid any growth that would create a hazard or violate clearance and sight-line requirements.

The city recommends filing a landscape plan so it can be officially recorded with the property, and while the planting is visibly being established, a sign must be posted telling the public what it is. The property owner, and any successor who buys the land, stays responsible for maintaining the area to current industry standards, including seasonal cuttings, and the city retains the right to inspect. Section 90-25(2) separately exempts wetlands and floodplains shown on the official zoning map, stormwater ponds and ditches, pastureland grazed by hoofed animals, land showing no sign of having been mowed or graded by human hands, and publicly owned land kept in its natural state.