Portland's Landcare Ordinance (Chapter 34) explicitly references the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Natural Areas Program invasive-species list, and authorizes targeted pesticide use to remove invasive plants on city property (Sec. 34-5(a)(4)(viii)). The city partners with Wild Seed Project and Portland Pollinator Partnership on native pollinator gardens at Western Promenade and Bayside Trail.
Native-plant landscaping is encouraged but not mandated. Chapter 34, Sec. 34-3 defines 'Invasive Species' as plants and insects on the Maine ACF Natural Areas Program list (currently invasive, potentially invasive, highly likely invasive) plus Maine Forest Service-listed insect threats. Sec. 34-5(a)(4)(vi) allows control of invasive insects including Emerald Ash Borer, Asian Longhorned Beetle, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, and Browntail Moth. Sec. 34-5(a)(4)(viii) allows the city to apply prohibited pesticides to control invasive plants on city property. Chapter 29 (Vegetation) Heritage Tree definitions explicitly cover 'Stands of native trees that are rare or threatened including Shagbark Hickory, Pitch Pine, American Mountain Ash, Red Spruce, and Atlantic White Cedar' (Sec. 29-3, criterion 4), giving them extra protection in historic districts. There is no Portland ordinance requiring a percentage of native plants in residential landscaping. The Western Promenade Native Pollinator Garden, established with Wild Seed Project and the City of Portland, serves as a model for native urban landscaping. HOAs in Portland may not, under 30-A M.R.S. § 4364-A (LD 2003 ADU mandate), prohibit landscaping changes necessary to accommodate an ADU.
No fine attaches to landscaping with non-native plants. Failure to control state-listed invasive plants on commercial or municipal property could trigger a city order under Sec. 34-5(a)(4)(viii). Heritage Tree replacement requirements (Sec. 29-7) demand species 'of the same or similar species' as the removed tree, which effectively incentivizes native-species replanting.
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