Rapid City, SD Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- RCMC § 17.50.300.C.14, G.1.k
- Minimum undeveloped depth
- 75 feet
- Cover required
- Hardy native plants or grass
- Native plant list source
- Dept. of Community Development
- Synthetic turf
- Prohibited as a substitute
Summary
Rapid City's landscape ordinance requires every undeveloped portion of a commercial, industrial, or multifamily lot to carry a sufficient cover of hardy native plant materials or grass. Rapid City Municipal Code Section 17.50.300 defines the requirement and points property owners to a Department-maintained list of hardy native plants.
UNDEVELOPED AREA. ... That portion of a plot or parcel not occupied by a building, structure, pavement or other improvements and which spans the entire length or width of the property and which is at least 75 feet deep. All undeveloped areas must have a sufficient cover of hardy native plant materials or grass. ... The plant types selected shall be suited to the conditions of the location to minimize maintenance and irrigation needs. A list of hardy native plant materials is available through the Department.
Full Breakdown
14 defines undeveloped area as the portion of a lot not occupied by a building, structure, pavement, or other improvement, spanning the property's full length or width and at least 75 feet deep, and states flatly that all undeveloped areas must have a sufficient cover of hardy native plant materials or grass. D, though it does not apply to single-family homes inside multifamily districts or to general agricultural, park forest, mobile home residential, or low density residential I and II districts. k directs that plant types selected for required landscaping shall be suited to the conditions of the location to minimize maintenance and irrigation needs, and notes that a list of hardy native plant materials is available through the Department of Community Development.
f. Plans showing the proposed landscape development must be submitted to the Building Inspection Department and routed to Planning for approval before a building permit issues, and if landscaping is not completed satisfactorily at final inspection, the owner must post a monetary security guarantee before a certificate of occupancy will be issued.
Violations & Fines
Failing to maintain the required native plant or grass cover on an undeveloped area, or installing synthetic turf or plants in place of required landscaping, is enforced by the Building Official or a designated representative under Section 17.50.300.K, and noncompliant new development cannot receive a certificate of occupancy without a security guarantee under Section 17.50.300.J. Broader Title 17 violations are also subject to the general penalty at Section 17.54.070.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rapid City require native plants on undeveloped commercial land?
Where can I find Rapid City's approved native plant list?
Can I use artificial turf to meet Rapid City's landscaping requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rapid City
Compare Rapid City to another location·View the South Dakota landscaping rules overview
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