Suffolk County actively promotes native Long Island plant species to protect the sole-source aquifer and Pine Barrens ecosystem. The Long Island Native Plant Initiative and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County provide plant lists. Towns increasingly require native plantings in subdivision landscape plans.
Suffolk County Local Law 41 of 2013 prohibits the sale of certain invasive species countywide, one of the first such bans in the US. The Suffolk County Parks Department uses native-only planting in new installations. Town subdivision codes (e.g., Southampton 330-81.4) require a percentage of native plants in new landscape plans. Homeowners face no restrictions on replacing turf with native meadow provided property maintenance codes are met with a formal management plan.
Sale of listed invasive species: up to $1,000 per plant under Local Law 41. Subdivision planting violations: certificate of occupancy withheld until compliance.
Suffolk County, NY
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See how Suffolk County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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