The City of Scranton does not mandate native-plant landscaping on residential property. Native and pollinator-friendly planting is encouraged through the Shade Tree Commission, City Forester, and grants administered by the Pennsylvania DCNR Urban and Community Forestry program (formerly TreeVitalize) and TreePennsylvania (the PA Environmental Justice Forests program awarded Scranton $30,000 for 250 bare-root trees). The Chapter 360 Property Maintenance Code's 8-inch height standard exempts cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, and shrubs, providing a clear path for maintained native or pollinator plantings. PA Right to Farm Act (3 P.S. Β§ 951-957) protects agricultural operations in agricultural security areas.
Scranton takes a voluntary, incentive-based approach to native-plant landscaping. There is no Scranton ordinance mandating native species on private residential property. Native and pollinator planting is promoted through three avenues. First, the Scranton Shade Tree Commission (https://scrantonpa.gov/your-government/bca/shade-tree-commission/) recommends native species for street-tree replacement and supports City Forester-led planting events. Second, the Pennsylvania DCNR Urban and Community Forestry program (formerly TreeVitalize) (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dcnr/programs-and-services/community-outreach-and-development/urban-and-community-forestry) administers community grants for tree planning, planting, and care; the City was awarded $7,500 in site-prep funding and $30,000 to plant 250 bare-root trees through TreePennsylvania's PA Environmental Justice Forests program (https://treepennsylvania.org/pas-environmental-justice-forests/). Third, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's Pollinator Protection Plan and DCNR's Wild Resource Conservation Program promote native pollinator habitat statewide. The Chapter 360 (Property Maintenance) Article II 8-inch weed standard is the main constraint, but the Code expressly exempts 'cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, and shrubs,' giving documented native-garden and pollinator-habitat plantings clear cover so long as they are maintained. Outside city limits in Lackawanna County, the Pennsylvania Right to Farm Act (3 P.S. Β§ 951-957) protects qualifying agricultural operations from nuisance suits and overreaching local zoning if the operation has been in lawful operation for one year or more and lacks a direct adverse effect on public health and safety. The Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Lackawanna County and the Lackawanna County Conservation District (https://www.lccd.org/) provide native-plant technical guidance.
The City of Scranton imposes no penalty on homeowners for choosing non-native landscaping. A neglected lot may still be cited under Chapter 360 Article II for vegetation over 8 inches, but the Code's exemption for cultivated flowers, gardens, trees, and shrubs protects documented native-garden plantings. Outside the city, the PA Right to Farm Act (3 P.S. Β§ 951 et seq.) limits unreasonable local restrictions on normal agricultural operations within agricultural security areas. Unlicensed commercial pesticide application by non-native-removal contractors is independently regulated under the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act (3 Pa.C.S. Β§ 6701 et seq.) and enforced by the PA Department of Agriculture.
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