Native plant landscaping is allowed and encouraged across Franklin County. Columbus and most suburbs treat managed native-plant gardens as landscaping rather than weeds, exempting them from grass-height ordinances as long as they are maintained and free of listed noxious species.
Columbus City Code 913 defines a nuisance as uncultivated vegetation, which excludes intentional native-plant gardens and pollinator meadows. Homeowners planting prairie grasses, native sedges, coneflower, milkweed, and similar species should maintain a clear border and ideally post an informational sign to help code enforcement officers distinguish gardens from neglect. Franklin Soil and Water Conservation District, Columbus Metro Parks, and Scioto Gardens nursery promote native plantings that support pollinators and reduce stormwater runoff. Ohio Department of Agriculture noxious-weed list still applies: gardens must not contain Canada thistle, poison hemlock, or other listed invasives even in a naturalized design. HOAs in planned communities may have stricter landscaping covenants that override the permissive city approach.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Franklin County, OH
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Franklin County, OH
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Franklin County, OH
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Franklin County, OH
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Franklin County, OH
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Franklin County, OH
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See how Franklin County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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