Henderson, NV Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- All Henderson properties, HOAs included
- HOA covenants blocking xeriscape
- Void and unenforceable
- Design review
- Still required for the landscape plan
- New lawn grass
- Banned citywide since Sept 19, 2022
- Plant list
- Must meet SNWA Water Smart standard
Summary
Henderson voids any HOA covenant, deed clause, or private agreement that blocks a property owner from installing water-efficient, drought-tolerant, or native xeriscape landscaping, once it clears standard design review.
Any person(s) or association(s), regardless of date of establishment, is prohibited from imposing private covenants, restrictions, deed clauses, or other agreements, between the parties that prevent person(s) from utilizing water-efficient and drought-tolerant landscaping, including but not limited to xeriscape, provided such landscaping receives appropriate design-review approval. Landscaping materials and designs may not be prohibited solely on the basis that they make use of water-efficient and drought-tolerant landscaping.
https://online.encodeplus.com/regs/henderson-nv/doc-viewer.aspx#secid--1
214/459
8/11/26, 11:49 PM
Document Viewer | Development Code
4. General Design. Plant materials shall be selected and/or placed for: energy and water efficiency; adaptability and relationship to the desert environment; color, form, and pattern; ability to provide shade; soil retention; and resistance to fire. The overall landscape plan shall be integrated with all elements of the project, such as buildings, parking lots, and streets to achieve a desirable microclimate and minimize energy demand.
a. Plant Varieties. Minimum three tree varieties and five shrub varieties shall be provided for each project.
b. Hardscape. Landscape design may integrate hardscape (plazas, courtyards, trails, etc.) and landscaping, which may be counted towards the overall project’s site landscaping and/or open space requirements at the discretion of the Director.
Full Breakdown
Henderson's Development Code voids any HOA covenant, deed restriction, or private agreement that blocks a property owner from installing water-efficient or drought-tolerant landscaping, xeriscape included. The city also requires plants meeting the Southern Nevada Water Authority's Water Smart Landscapes list, and since September 19, 2022 has banned new lawn grass citywide outside schools, parks, and cemeteries. Homeowners still need routine design-review sign-off on the plan, but no HOA or developer can veto a switch to native or drought-tolerant plants on that basis alone.
Violations & Fines
An HOA or covenant provision blocking water-efficient or native landscaping is unenforceable under this section; homeowners may install approved xeriscape regardless of association rules, subject to standard city design review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my HOA in Henderson stop me from replacing my lawn with native or xeriscape plants?
Is new grass lawn banned in Henderson?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Henderson
Compare Henderson to another location·View the Nevada landscaping rules overview
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Native Plants in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Clark County handle native plants.