Roseville, MN Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Roseville defines natural landscaping in Sec. 405.01 as planned landscaping designed to replicate a locally native plant community by using a mix of plants, shrubs, and trees native to the area. The definition matters because the weeds and vegetation nuisance in Sec. 405.02(11) otherwise reaches every yard in the city.

Under subsection (11)a, all noxious weeds are a nuisance in all locations. Turf grasses, nuisance weeds and rank vegetative growth become a nuisance when they are not maintained at a height of eight inches or less in locations closer than 40 feet from an occupied principal structure, from any property line with an occupied structure on abutting property, or from a public road pavement edge.

Subsection (11)b then removes two situations from that height rule. The first is natural areas, public open space or parklands, as determined by the city forester or naturalist designated by the city manager. The second is yard areas with natural landscaping that follow the city policy for natural landscaping. Chapter 405 does not reprint that policy, so a resident planting a prairie, meadow or woodland yard has to follow the policy itself, not only the definition. The exemption is written against subsection (11)a, so it lifts the height limit and does not excuse noxious weeds.

Subsection (12) is a separate yard cover rule: the yard area of a lot shall not be bare soil, shall be covered by a groundcover and shall be maintained as set forth in subsection (11). The exemption language does not mention subsection (12).

The community development director administers and enforces Chapter 405 under Sec. 405.06, except that nuisances impacting the public right-of-way, sanitary or storm sewer are enforced by the public works director. For tall grasses and nuisance weeds under Sec. 405.02(11), Sec. 405.09 applies an accelerated abatement process in place of the notice period of up to 30 days in Sec. 405.07.