Montgomery County, MD Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Generalized-growth cap
- 12 inches within 15 ft of line
- Exempted plantings
- trees, shrubs, flowers, garden vegetables
- Still banned regardless
- poison ivy, ragweed, kudzu, thistles
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Housing & Community Affairs
- Cure period
- 10 days after written notice
Summary
Montgomery County's weed law caps "generalized plant growth" at 12 inches near property lines, but Code § 58-3 exempts trees, ornamental shrubs, flowers, and garden vegetables: shielding native plant beds and naturalized landscaping from mow-down enforcement.
An owner, lessee, agent, and any other person in charge of land in a subdivision or within 100 feet of a subdivision must not allow: (a) The generalized growth of any weed; and (b) Any generalized plant growth more than 12 inches high within 15 feet of any property boundary. Generalized plant growth does not include trees, ornamental shrubs, flowers, or garden vegetables.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-90: Montgomery County Code contains legislation effective through May 7, 2026 | Zoning Updated Effective: April 13, 2026 | COMCOR Regulations effective as of July 1, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 58 bars "generalized" plant growth over 12 inches within 15 feet of a boundary on land inside, or within 100 feet of, a recorded subdivision, but Section 58-3(b) expressly carves out trees, ornamental shrubs, flowers, and garden vegetables, so a deliberately planted native or pollinator garden isn't measured against the turf-height cap the way volunteer weeds are. The carve-out doesn't touch Section 58-1's separate ban on poison ivy, ragweed, kudzu, and state-listed noxious thistles, which stay prohibited regardless of height or intent. The Department of Housing and Community Affairs enforces the chapter on a complaint basis.
Violations & Fines
Violating § 58-3 is a class B civil violation under § 58-7; the Director must give written notice and 10 days to comply before cutting the growth and billing the owner or placing a lien on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my lawn with a native plant garden in Montgomery County?
Does this exemption let me grow poison ivy or other noxious weeds?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Montgomery County
Compare Montgomery County to another location·View the Maryland landscaping rules overview
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