Guilford County does not mandate native plants for private yards, but its Unified Development Ordinance sets planting standards for required landscape and buffer yards on larger developments, including canopy, understory, and shrub counts.
For single-family and two-family lots, the county imposes no plant-species requirement, so homeowners may plant natives or ornamentals freely. On commercial and larger multi-family projects, UDO Section 6.2 requires specified planting yards with minimum tree and shrub densities, and sets nursery-stock standards: canopy trees at least eight feet high and two inches in caliper when planted, understory trees at least four feet and one inch caliper. Preserving existing native tree stands can satisfy these requirements, and older trees are prioritized. Selecting native, drought-tolerant species is encouraged but not compelled.
Non-compliant required plantings on regulated development can block certificates of occupancy; UDO enforcement (Subsection 10) applies until landscaping meets the approved plan.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Guilford County parks operate only during posted hours. The Uniform Park and Open Space Rules state that entering or using park facilities after posted hours...
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Light spilling from one property onto a neighbor's is addressed under Section 6.3 (Lighting) of the Guilford County Unified Development Ordinance, which requ...
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Guilford County regulates outdoor lighting in unincorporated areas through Section 6.3 (Lighting) of the Unified Development Ordinance. It requires exterior ...
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In unincorporated Guilford County, all signs except State/Federal ones are regulated by the Unified Development Ordinance, Article 7. Temporary signs such as...
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In unincorporated Guilford County, political signs in the State highway right-of-way are governed by NC law. They may be placed starting 30 days before early...
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Guilford County has no special “tiny home” category; a tiny house on a permanent foundation is regulated as a dwelling under the NC Residential Code and the ...
See how Guilford County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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