Las Cruces recommends indigenous and drought-tolerant plants for all landscaping and requires new commercial and multifamily development to landscape at least 15% of parking area. Single-family homes on individual lots are exempt.
Land Development Code Sec. 32-266 states plainly that while the style of landscape is not dictated, "indigenous or drought tolerant plants are recommended." Section 32-277 lists recommended species suited to the Chihuahuan Desert, including desert willow, mesquite, netleaf hackberry, penstemon, Texas sage, yucca, agave, and red yucca. New construction in commercial (C, M) and multifamily (R-2, R-3, R-4) zones must landscape at least 15% of parking area, and gravel or decorative stone counts only as an additional ground cover alongside living plants. Single-family residences, townhouses, and duplexes on individual lots are exempt, so for most homeowners native planting is encouraged, not mandated.
Failing to maintain required landscaping is a nuisance abatable under Chapter 18. Land Development Code violations carry Municipal Court fines up to $300 per day.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Las Cruces lets residents put up holiday decorations without a permit. Under the Land Development Code, decorations for national holidays and community festi...
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Las Cruces caps garage and yard sale signs at 3 square feet. Under Land Development Code Sec. 36-84, off-premises directional signs are allowed only during t...
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Las Cruces allows political signs up to 32 square feet each. Under Land Development Code Sec. 36-86, signs may go up no sooner than 90 days before an electio...
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Las Cruces does not register or inspect standard long-term rentals, and conventional landlords need no city rental license. Only short-term rentals must regi...
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Las Cruces has no just-cause eviction law. New Mexico's Uniform Owner-Resident Relations Act governs: a landlord may end a month-to-month tenancy with 30 day...
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Las Cruces has no rent control. New Mexico's Rent Control Prohibition Act (NMSA 47-8A-1, enacted 1991) bars every city and county from capping rent on privat...
See how Las Cruces's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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