Dothan, AL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Section 114-238 requires a landscaping plan for new development or construction in most non-agricultural zoning districts, including any project that expands an existing building's floor area, lot coverage or parking by 25 percent or more, per subsection (a). Subsection (d), plant diversity, layers two rules onto that landscaping plan: no single species may make up more than 50 percent of total plantings on a site, and landscaping shall largely utilize native or non-competing exotic plant species. The same subsection separately bars any exotic vegetation likely to out-compete or displace native vegetation or that would require excessive fertilizer and water to survive, and it directs that existing natural ground cover be kept in place where possible rather than scraped, graded or sodded over.

Where a project must still add trees or shrubs inside an existing natural area, subsection (d) requires the work be done in a way that minimizes disturbance to the native species already there. Subsection (b) requires the landscaping plan itself to be designed only by an architect, civil engineer, landscape architect, or a landscape designer certified by the State of Alabama, and section 114-239(a) offers a recommended plant list, noting the city horticulturist may approve alternate native-friendly species. Preserving existing native trees also earns credit against the planting requirement under section 114-238(e): a non-pine tree 12 inches DBH or larger, or a pine 18 inches DBH or larger, counts one-for-one toward the trees a site must otherwise plant.

The planning commission may waive the irrigation-system requirement in subsection (k) for a landscape composed primarily of native or xeric species, provided the applicant documents the request.