Medford, MA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Item 2 of Sec. 94-6.4.6, titled 'Replication,' requires that clearing of vegetation and alteration of topography be replicated with native vegetation planted in disturbed areas as needed to enhance or restore wildlife habitat. Item 7, 'Revegetation,' goes further: it requires proper revegetation techniques using native plant species, proper seed bed preparation, fertilizer, and mulching to protect germinating plants, and it sets a deadline of seven calendar days after final grading for revegetation to begin, timed to the planting season appropriate to the chosen species. These duties sit alongside item 1's requirement to preserve natural topography and drainage outside the development footprint, item 3's rules limiting utility-trench clearing to the minimum area needed and favoring tunneling to protect tree roots, and item 9's requirement that finished grade be no higher than the trunk flare of retained trees.

Like the rest of Sec. 94-6.4, these standards bind only nonresidential uses and multiple-dwelling or mixed-use projects of six or more units that require a special permit or site plan approval under Sec. 94-6.4.2, and compliance is checked before an occupancy permit issues under Sec. 94-6.4.13.