Gresham, OR Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Mandatory in
- IND-SW, VC-SW, RTI-SW subdistricts
- Elsewhere in district
- design guideline only
- Plant standard
- native or drought-tolerant species
- Climate basis
- Western Oregon conditions
- Section
- Development Code § 4.1566
Summary
Gresham's Springwater Plan District requires landscaping plans to select native or drought-tolerant plant species suited to Western Oregon's climate, mandatory for the IND-SW, VC-SW and RTI-SW subdistricts and a design guideline for the rest of the plan district.
B. Applicability. These requirements shall apply to all development in the IND-SW, VC-SW and RTI-SW subdistricts. These requirements shall be guidelines for all other sub-districts in the Springwater Plan District.
C. Xeriscape Landscaping Requirements. All landscape plans should be designed to incorporate water conservation materials and techniques through application of xeriscape landscaping principles.
1. Maximum Amount of Lawn Area. The maximum amount of lawn/sod area shall not exceed 10 percent of the undeveloped area of the site.
2. Plant Materials. The selection of plant materials shall be based on Western Oregon's climate and sitespecific conditions. These species shall be selected either because they are a native species to this climate or have a demonstrated drought tolerance and no threat of competition with native species.
3. Limit of Work Area. Prior to approval of any building permit, existing trees, shrubs, and/or Resource Areas that are to be preserved shall be defined in the field. These plants and areas shall be defined by a minimum of a four (4) foot high visibility fence (polyethylene, painted, wooden slat, snow fence, etc.) which is to be located no closer than the drip line of the vegetation to be preserved and which is to remain and be maintained throughout the construction period until ready for revegetation.
Full Breakdown
Section 4.1566 of the Community Development Code sets xeriscape landscaping standards for Gresham's Springwater Plan District, an area planned around the city's comprehensive-plan goals for that district. Landscape plans must incorporate water-conserving plant material: species native to Western Oregon's climate or with demonstrated drought tolerance and no threat of competing with native species. The requirement is mandatory for development in the IND-SW, VC-SW and RTI-SW subdistricts and serves only as a design guideline in the district's other subdistricts. It does not apply to development outside the Springwater Plan District boundary.
Violations & Fines
Site and building plans in the mandatory subdistricts that skip native or drought-tolerant plant selection do not meet Development Code standards and are not approved at site plan review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this native-plant rule apply across all of Gresham?
What plants satisfy the standard?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gresham
Compare Gresham to another location·View the Oregon landscaping rules overview
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Native Plants in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Multnomah County handle native plants.