Sioux Falls allows native plants and prairie grasses as an intentional landscaping feature without requiring a variance, provided they are properly maintained. An alternative landscape plan under § 160.599 must be submitted when substituting native plantings for standard turf requirements.
Chapter 160 (Zoning), § 160.485 establishes landscape standards requiring a diversity of tree and plant species. Native grasses and wildflowers may substitute for standard sod grass if submitted as an alternative landscape plan under § 160.599. The city's Property Maintenance Code also sets an 8-inch maximum height for non-woody plants — but intentional native landscaping documented in an approved landscape plan is exempt from this limit. In-ground irrigation is encouraged for traditional turf but not required for approved native plantings. Code Enforcement handles maintenance complaints. No separate native-plant permit is required beyond the landscape plan.
Unapproved native vegetation exceeding 8 inches is treated as a nuisance weed violation; the city may issue an abatement notice, require mowing, and bill the property owner for remediation costs.
Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls requires a barrier at least 48 inches high around private swimming pools, hot tubs, and spas containing more than 24 inches of water (regulations...
Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls does not regulate year-round lawn ornaments (statuary, religious displays, garden gnomes, flamingos, etc.) on private residential property. Code ...
Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls does not regulate the size or duration of residential inflatable holiday displays (giant snowmen, pumpkins, turkeys, etc.). Standard nuisance, pr...
Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls has no citywide ordinance setting installation or removal dates for holiday lights. Displays are governed by the general nuisance ordinance under...
Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls requires building, gas-line, electrical, and plumbing permits for built-in outdoor kitchens under Code Chapter 150 (adopting the 2018 IBC/IRC, IM...
Sioux Falls, SD
Sioux Falls has no specific ordinance regulating backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens at one- and two-family dwellings. The general nuisance ...
See how Sioux Falls's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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