Effingham County, GA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Floodplains, riparian buffers, stormwater areas
- Approved species
- 15 listed, e.g. bald cypress, buttonbush
- Non-native limit
- Prohibited absent county manager approval
- Establishment period
- 2 years, owner replaces failed plantings
- Enforcement trigger
- Denial of final inspection/certificate of occupancy
Summary
In flood-prone parts of unincorporated Effingham County, planting plans must draw from the county's list of flood-tolerant native species, from bald cypress to buttonbush, and non-native or ornamental plantings are barred there unless the county manager specifically approves them.
The following species are designated as preferred for planting within flood-prone areas of Effingham County, based upon their adaptability to periodic inundation, soil saturation, and hydrologic conditions: ... The use of non-native, invasive, or ornamental species in flood-prone planting areas is prohibited unless specifically approved by the county manager or their designee.
Full Breakdown
Division 8 of the county tree ordinance, Sec. 30-491 through 30-495 (Ord. No. 2026-023, adopted March 3, 2026), governs planting in floodplains, riparian buffers, stormwater conveyances, and other flood-prone areas of Effingham County. Sec. 30-491 states the purpose is to promote flood-tolerant native vegetation to reduce erosion, protect water quality, and enhance flood resilience. Sec. 30-492 designates preferred species based on their tolerance for periodic inundation, listing bald cypress, pond cypress, water tupelo, swamp tupelo, Ogeechee tupelo, black gum, swamp chestnut oak, river birch, sweetbay magnolia, green ash, buttonbush, Virginia sweetspire, summersweet clethra, blue-flag iris, and river oats, with the county manager or designee able to approve additional tolerant species that don't conflict with invasive species policy.
Sec. 30-494(a) prohibits non-native, invasive, or ornamental species in flood-prone planting areas unless specifically approved by the county manager, and Sec. 30-494(b) bars crediting turf grass or shallow-rooted ornamentals not adapted to flooding toward compliance. Sec. 30-493 sets installation standards: planting holes two to three times the root ball's width, native soil backfill, two to three inches of mulch kept off the trunk, and root collars planted above grade or on mounds in areas of prolonged inundation, plus a two-year establishment period during which dead or failed plantings must be replaced at the owner's expense.
Sec. 30-495(a) makes noncompliance grounds for denying final inspection or a certificate of occupancy, and replacement trees used for mitigation must come from the Sec. 30-492 list.
Violations & Fines
Failing to plant from the approved native species list, or using prohibited non-native or turf plantings in a flood-prone area, is grounds under Sec. 30-495 to deny final inspection or certificate of occupancy, and is enforced through the penalty provisions of Sec. 30-473, including stop-work orders and required replanting at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
What species can I plant in a flood-prone part of my Effingham County property?
Can I plant turf grass or ornamental shrubs in a flood-prone buffer?
What happens if my flood-prone plantings fail?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Effingham County
Compare Effingham County to another location·View the Georgia landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.