Marietta, GA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Cobb County supports native plant landscaping through educational programs from Cobb Water System (WaterSmart Landscaping) and UGA Cobb County Extension. The region is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b/8a with Georgia Piedmont native plants suitable for local conditions: coneflowers, black-eyed Susan, little bluestem, oakleaf hydrangea, mountain laurel, and native azaleas. No ordinance requires native landscaping or prohibits traditional lawns. Cobb has no statewide or local lawn replacement rebate program comparable to Western states, though the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District recommends water-efficient landscaping. Georgia has no state law preventing HOAs from requiring lawns or prohibiting xeriscaping — unlike Arizona, Colorado, and other states. HOA covenants may still require traditional turf lawns in Cobb communities. Invasive species removal (Chinese privet, kudzu, Japanese honeysuckle, English ivy) is encouraged but not mandated for residential property. Cobb PARKS leads invasive removal in public green spaces.