Lacey, WA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Section 16.80.070 of the Lacey Municipal Code requires the applicant to use native regional plant materials or plant materials that complement the natural character of the Pacific Northwest. The rule applies to landscaping the City of Lacey requires through plat, site plan, administrative design review or building permit review, since § 16.80.020(A) calls for a plot plan prepared by a licensed landscape architect, Washington-certified nurseryman or Washington-certified landscaper. For individual home owners, the city provides template landscape plans with approved tree species on request.

Section 16.80.050 repeats the native standard in each landscaping type. Type I, II and III each state that landscaping shall be native and drought tolerant with exception of trees on the city's street tree list, and so does Type IV for parking areas. For single-family residential, § 16.80.050(F) says native vegetation, ground cover, stands of trees or shrubs existing before development can be acceptable, and cleared or graded areas not covered by impervious surface must be amended per the Lacey Stormwater Design Manual and landscaped with trees, native and drought-tolerant shrubs and suitable native and drought-tolerant ground cover.

Section 16.80.060(C) adds that natural vegetation or stands of trees existing before development can meet all or part of the landscaping requirements. In required front yard areas, § 16.80.030(E) calls for at least sixty percent of the required area to be landscaped with natural plant materials, including grass, ground cover, trees and shrubs.

Maintenance falls on the owner under § 16.80.080(A), who replaces unhealthy or dead plant materials. The city requires a maintenance assurance device of at least twenty percent of replacement cost, held a minimum of two years, or three years for Type I.