Idaho Falls, ID Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Idaho Falls is supportive of native and drought-tolerant landscaping rather than restrictive of it. The Comprehensive Zoning landscaping standard (City Code Title 11, Chapter 4, section 11-4-4) states that 'plantings should use native species that favor the local soil PH and encourage low water use,' and that landscapes requiring high water use 'should be discouraged unless necessary to meet screening or buffering requirements.' Approved landscaping materials under 11-4-4 include trees, shrubs, vines, ornamental grasses, perennial and annual flowers, herbs, and lawn, in combination with hardscape such as rock and boulders. Crucially, the Litter and Weed Control chapter protects native and xeriscape landscaping from enforcement: section 5-8-11 permits 'intentional landscape or xeriscape plantings, including native or drought tolerant plants, where the height of the plants in excess of ten inches is not due to neglect.' That means a deliberate native plant or pollinator garden above ten inches is not a 'weed' nuisance, as long as it is maintained and not neglected. The City's water-conservation outreach further promotes planting water-resistant grass, plants, and shrubs. For street trees in the public right-of-way, however, plantings are limited to the approved species list in 8-9-4 (which favors lower-water species) and require City Forester approval for anything off-list.