Durham, NC Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Durham encourages the use of native plants through its Unified Development Ordinance and the Landscape Manual adopted by the City-County Planning Department. Under UDO Sec. 8.3.1.E, all replacement trees required as part of tree coverage mitigation during development must be native to the North Carolina Piedmont region, with a minimum of 50 percent being hardwood canopy species. The Durham Landscape Manual, adopted December 6, 2005 and periodically updated, provides a comprehensive approved species list for satisfying site plan landscaping requirements and a prohibited species list identifying invasive or otherwise inappropriate plants that may not be used. These requirements apply to properties developed or substantially changed under a permit approved by the Planning Department. For existing residential homeowners not undergoing development review, Durham does not mandate native plantings. However, the City actively encourages Piedmont-native landscaping through partnerships with organizations like Keep Durham Beautiful, which provides educational resources on managing native plant landscapes, and through the Durham Soil and Water Conservation District. Common recommended native species for Durham include Eastern Red Cedar, Southern Magnolia, Willow Oak, Red Maple, Sweetgum, River Birch, and various native grasses and perennials suited to the Piedmont clay soils and USDA Zone 7b climate. The UDO Landscape Manual prohibits certain invasive non-native species including Bradford Pear (Pyrus calleryana), Chinese Privet, and Japanese Honeysuckle from being used to satisfy landscaping requirements. Homeowners interested in converting conventional lawns to native landscapes should document their planting plans with Neighborhood Improvement Services to avoid triggering nuisance complaints.