The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code favors native landscaping, directing that trees and shrubs be predominately hardy Tennessee native species and providing an approved native-plant list for naturalized screens and buffers.
The Memphis and Shelby County Unified Development Code encourages native landscaping on development sites. Sub-Section 4.6.4 states that the code's tree and shrub species definitions are intended to guide selection of predominately hardy Tennessee native species, and Sub-Section 4.6.4C requires trees and shrubs to be drought tolerant and able to survive on natural rainfall once established. The UDC's approved plant list in Section 4.6.9 includes native-plant tables for a naturalized shade screen and a sunny location, listing species like sweet bay magnolia, eastern red cedar, sweet gum, and redbud. The UDC also requires ongoing maintenance to prohibit exotic invasive species. A single-family homeowner faces no mandate to plant native, but native and drought-tolerant choices are favored and reduce irrigation obligations.
There is no penalty for choosing non-native plants on a private single-family lot. On regulated development sites, failing to maintain landscaping so that prohibited exotic species establish, or installing non-drought-tolerant material without required irrigation, can trigger UDC maintenance enforcement.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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See how Shelby County's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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