Lakeville, MN Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Section 11-21-7.C, Natural Landscaping, lets an owner or occupant of a residential lot apply for an administrative permit to let native grasses and forbs grow beyond the eight inch height ceiling that otherwise applies to landscaped areas under this chapter. The Zoning Administrator reviews and approves each application, filed under the administrative permit process of chapter 8 of the zoning title, and it must include a statement of intent explaining why the owner wants to cultivate natural landscaping, a scaled site plan showing lot lines, buildings, drainage and utility easements, wetlands, wetland buffers, stormwater basins and the proposed planting area, the Latin and common names of every species to be planted, the name and address of whoever will maintain the planting, and a maintenance plan covering the planting layout, mature heights, upkeep, and any long term care the landscaping needs.

The Zoning Administrator can require additional information before approving a permit. Once approved, the natural landscaping itself is still bound by setback limits: it must sit at least ten feet back from any lot line that abuts a public right of way and at least five feet back from interior side and rear lot lines, so a prairie-style planting cannot spread onto a right of way or crowd a neighbor's yard. Homeowners who let their grass or forbs grow tall without this permit remain subject to the general eight inch maintenance standard for landscaped areas elsewhere in chapter 21.