Norfolk County, MA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- County Rule?
- None
- Invasive Ban
- 330 CMR 9 (statewide sale ban)
- Brookline
- Healthy Yards program
- HOA Rights
- No MA preemption
- Resources
- MassAudubon, Native Plant Trust
Summary
Norfolk County has no native plant rule. MA Pollinator Plan and Stretch Code encourage natives. Brookline and Quincy offer climate-resilient landscape guidance. MA prohibits sale of listed invasive species.
Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List. Following is a list of plants, including all cultivars, varieties and hybrids, for which the sale, import, trade, purchase, distribution, propagation, and related activities are currently prohibited within the state of Massachusetts [...] *Phase-out period for newly listed prohibited species: When a species is added to the Prohibited Plant List, nursery agents/growers may no longer receive or begin propagation of those species. Existing stock is subject to the following phase-out periods, determined by growth form (1 year for herbaceous plants, 2 years for shrubs, 3 years for trees): black Alder, European alder - Alnus glutinosa; Callery/Bradford pear - Pyrus calleryana; Chinese silver grass, Eulalia, maiden grass - Miscanthus sinensis; Japanese Angelica tree - Aralia elata; jetbead, white Kerria, jetberry bush - Rhodotypos scandens; sapphire berry, Asiatic sweetleaf - Symplocos paniculata.
Full Breakdown
Massachusetts does not mandate native plants but strongly encourages them through MA Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) pollinator-protection initiatives, the MA Pollinator Plan, and the DCR Landscape Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment. MA Invasive Plant Advisory Group maintains a list (under 330 CMR 9.00) of invasive species banned from nursery sale, including Japanese knotweed, multiflora rose, burning bush, Norway maple (partial), and over 60 others. Brookline adopted a Climate Action Plan promoting native plantings on town land and offering Healthy Yards resident program. Quincy Environmental Master Plan encourages native species. Weymouth has no specific native-plant program but enforces state invasive ban. MassAudubon and Native Plant Trust offer plant sales and guidance. No MA statute specifically overrides HOA/condo restrictions on xeriscape or native lawns, unlike CA/FL.
Violations & Fines
Selling/planting prohibited invasives: MDAR enforcement. No penalties for planting or not planting natives. HOA restrictions on native lawns are enforceable in MA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are typical penalties for violating native plants rules?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Source
- [2]333 CMR 10.00
Other rules in Norfolk County
Compare Norfolk County to another location·View the Massachusetts landscaping rules overview
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