Rockville, MD Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Rockville supports native plant landscaping as part of its broader environmental and stormwater management goals. The city's RainScapes Rebate Program provides financial incentives for rain gardens and conservation landscaping that incorporate native species adapted to the mid-Atlantic Piedmont region. Native plantings used in rain gardens, bioretention areas, and conservation landscapes are eligible for rebates of up to $5,000. The city's Landscaping, Screening and Lighting Manual provides guidance on approved species for development projects, including a species restriction list that identifies plants that should not be used. The Forest and Tree Preservation Ordinance (Chapter 10.5) encourages native tree species for replacement plantings required under tree removal permits. Rockville's property maintenance code exempts cultivated flowers and gardens from the 10-inch vegetation height limit, meaning properly maintained native plant gardens with taller species like native grasses, wildflowers, and meadow plantings are generally permitted. As a Chesapeake Bay watershed community, Rockville participates in regional initiatives promoting Bay-friendly landscaping that reduces fertilizer and pesticide runoff through native plant use. Montgomery County's DEP provides additional resources and native plant guides for residential landscaping.