Since 2024 Winston-Salem lets residents replace lawns with registered Natural Landscape Areas of native plants. Turf grass must stay under eight inches, areas need a 5-foot setback and defined borders, and registration is required if plants will exceed eight inches.
City Code Sec. 62-2(c)(6) permits a 'Natural Landscape Area' combining native and non-native vegetation for conservation, aesthetics and ecological balance. Conditions: turf grasses may not exceed eight inches; the area must be set back five feet from property lines and any adjacent improved road/sidewalk (waivable with an abutting landscape or a four-foot opaque fence); it may not exceed 50 percent of the parcel; and it must use defined borders. Under Sec. 62-2(c)(7), Natural Landscape Registration with the City Sustainability Department is required if grasses will exceed eight inches; turf must be eliminated and native plants, trees and shrubs planted.
For registered areas, a violation triggers a warning giving 30 days to remedy; if not corrected, the city may revoke the Natural Landscape Registration, and the owner may reapply after six months.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Forsyth County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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