Sammamish encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping and requires it in certain contexts. The landscaping code (SDC 21.07.070) calls for drought-tolerant species in bioretention and living-roof landscaping and bars King County noxious-weed-list plants. Tree replacement plantings must be primarily native Washington species. Critical-area restoration also emphasizes native plantings.
Sammamish's Development Standards for Landscaping and Irrigation (SDC 21.07.070) build native and drought-tolerant plants into its landscape types. Type VI (bioretention) landscaping must consist of trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers tolerant of summer drought, ponding fluctuations, and saturated soil; Type VII (vegetated/living roof) landscaping must use plants adapted to harsh conditions — seasonal drought, high winds, strong sun — and adapted or native to the installation area. Across landscape types, plants on the King County noxious weed list are prohibited. The city's tree code (SDC 21.03.060) requires that replacement trees be primarily native species to Washington in order to restore a site to its pre-removal character and function. Within critical areas and buffers, restoration and enhancement plantings emphasize native vegetation, and clearing of native vegetation is restricted. For homeowners, native and drought-tolerant landscaping is both encouraged by the city's sustainability program and well-suited to the wet-winter, dry-summer Puget Sound climate. There is no rule forcing turf lawns, and naturalized native plantings are generally welcomed rather than treated as nuisances.
Failure to meet required landscaping standards (including drought-tolerant species in bioretention/living-roof areas and the prohibition on noxious-weed-list plants) is a land-use code violation under SDC 21.07.070, enforced through the city's code compliance program. Improper plantings or clearing in critical areas can trigger restoration requirements and penalties.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
sammamish-wa
Sammamish parks, open spaces, trails, and marine areas are open from dawn to 30 minutes after sunset. No one may enter or remain during hours of closure exce...
sammamish-wa
Sammamish requires outdoor light fixtures to be fully shielded, pointed downward, and maintained so they cause minimal or no light trespass onto adjacent pro...
sammamish-wa
Sammamish requires outdoor light fixtures to be fully shielded and pointed downward, and caps outdoor lighting at 5.0 lumens per square foot of hardscape out...
sammamish-wa
Sammamish does not have a separate garage-sale-sign rule. Directional or event signs are handled under the general temporary-sign provisions. A small A-frame...
sammamish-wa
Sammamish regulates political signs content-neutrally as non-commercial temporary signs. On private property a sign may be up to 32 sq ft and 8 ft tall for u...
sammamish-wa
Sammamish has no separate tiny-home ordinance. A permanent tiny house on a foundation is treated as a detached ADU, capped at 1,000 sq ft, and the city allow...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how other cities in King County handle native plants.
See how Sammamish's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.