Iowa City, IA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

City Code section 6-3-1 defines a 'natural area' as land allowed to retain native plant material in a natural prairie state, and a 'conservation area' as property planted with ground cover of a size and texture compatible with the surrounding environment. Section 6-3-3(A) lets a property owner apply to the City's weed official to have land designated a natural or conservation area, exempting it from the chapter's 10-inch mowing requirement; the weed official weighs the land's grade and incline, how difficult it is to mow or maintain, and whether it is already being kept as a soil-erosion-control or conservation planting before deciding.

Any protected sensitive area and buffer already designated on an approved sensitive areas site plan under title 14, chapter 5, article I automatically counts as a natural area without a separate application. Once designated, section 6-3-3(B) says the area 'need not be mowed and shall be left in their natural state,' though the owner must still remove or control any noxious weeds within it, and section 6-3-3(C) requires any sidewalk or public way running through or beside the area to stay clear of obstructions. An owner who disagrees with the weed official's designation, or its denial, can appeal to the city manager or designee.