Spartanburg County, SC Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Native mandate
- None countywide
- City street trees
- Official approved list
- Unlisted species
- Need written permission
- Small-tree examples
- Dogwood, crapemyrtle, sourwood
- Large-tree examples
- Red maple, willow oak, magnolia
Summary
Spartanburg County does not mandate native landscaping. The City of Spartanburg publishes an official approved street-tree list, and no species may be planted as a street tree without written permission unless it is on the list.
The list contained in this section constitutes the official street trees for the city. No species may be planted as street trees without written permission except those included in the list.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 29).
Full Breakdown
There is no county requirement to use native plants in home landscaping, and residents can plant most species on private property. The City of Spartanburg regulates plantings in the public right-of-way: Sec. 38-50 sets the official street-tree list (small trees such as flowering dogwood, crapemyrtle, and sourwood; large trees such as red maple, willow oak, and southern magnolia), and no species may be planted as a street tree without written permission unless it appears on that list. Spacing, curb distance, and utility-clearance rules (Sec. 38-51 to 38-54) also apply to street trees. The list favors species suited to the Upstate climate.
Violations & Fines
Planting an unapproved street tree without written permission violates the city tree article, a misdemeanor (Sec. 38-59). No penalty applies to plant choice on private property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to plant native species in Spartanburg?
Can I plant any tree in the street strip?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Spartanburg County
Compare Spartanburg County to another location·View the South Carolina landscaping rules overview
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