Coon Rapids, MN Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- City Code § 8-505
- Exempt height
- May exceed 8 inches
- Noxious weeds
- Never permitted, even if MNL
- Oversight official
- Landscape Manager (City Manager/designee)
- Adopted
- Ordinance No. 2335, Nov. 18, 2025
Summary
The City of Coon Rapids lets property owners grow Managed Natural Landscapes of native grasses, wildflowers and other pollinator-friendly plants under City Code § 8-505, even though they exceed the citywide eight-inch weed and grass limit, as long as noxious weeds are excluded and the planting is actively maintained under current landscaping industry practices.
This Chapter intends to encourage landscape and vegetation throughout the City that is friendly to pollinators and encourages the use of Native Plants, while respecting existing community values in landscaping, to include well-maintained yards, compatibility with structures, and maintaining safety sight lines, visibility, air movement, and light transmission. ... Managed Natural Landscape means a planned, intentional, and maintained planting of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs, or trees, including but not limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation, and ornamental plants. Managed natural landscapes does not include turf-grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to natural state. ... Except where prohibited in Section 8-503, Managed Natural Landscape is permitted if the property owner or agent demonstrates all the following conditions are met:(1)The area may include plants and grasses in excess of eight inches in height and have gone to seed, but may not include any noxious weeds and must be maintained.
Full Breakdown
Chapter 8-500 of the Coon Rapids City Code, rewritten by Ordinance No. 2335 on November 18, 2025, states in § 8-501 that the City intends to encourage landscape and vegetation that is friendly to pollinators and encourages the use of Native Plants, while still respecting well-maintained yards and safety sight lines. Section 8-502(3) defines a Managed Natural Landscape as a planned, intentional and maintained planting of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs or trees, including rain gardens and meadow vegetation, but excludes turf-grass lawns simply left unattended to return to a natural state.
Section 8-502(5) further defines Native Plants as grasses, sedges, forbs, trees and shrubs native or naturalized to Minnesota, excluding prohibited exotic species under Minn. Stat. ch. 84D and excluding Weeds. Section 8-505 permits a Managed Natural Landscape, notwithstanding the general weed-height ban in § 8-503, if the property owner shows the area may exceed eight inches and go to seed but contains no noxious weeds, is maintained to current industry standards with seasonal cutting, has turfgrass eliminated by transplanting or seeding, and controls soil erosion under § 11-1204.1 while bare ground is exposed.
The Landscape Manager, who is the City Manager or a designee, oversees compliance, and a landscape that fails these conditions loses the exemption and reverts to the ordinary height and nuisance rules enforced under § 8-506.
Violations & Fines
A Managed Natural Landscape that lets noxious weeds grow, is not actively maintained, or is really just an abandoned lawn does not qualify for the § 8-505 exemption. The Landscape Manager can then treat the area as an ordinary weed violation under § 8-503, issuing an administrative citation under Chapter 2-1100 that can lead to City abatement, cost recovery from the owner, and an appeal right under § 2-1106.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow a wildflower or prairie garden instead of a lawn in Coon Rapids?
Does a Managed Natural Landscape need City approval first?
What plants are excluded from the native plant definition?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Coon Rapids
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