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Porter County, IN Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section
UDO § 3.09(C)(1)(d)
Applies to
Scenic Roadway Overlay (SRO) District only
Species rule
Native to Porter County or Director-approved
Perimeter planting rate
20 trees/shrubs per 100 linear feet
Buffer depth
75 feet from right-of-way
Installation deadline
Before Certificate of Occupancy issues
UDO effective date
June 15, 2007

Summary

Porter County's Unified Development Ordinance requires native landscaping only inside the Scenic Roadway Overlay (SRO) District: UDO §3.09(C)(1)(d) says landscape materials there 'shall be comprised of species native to Porter County or of species otherwise approved by the Executive Director.' The same section protects existing tree stands and hedgerows and favors naturalistic planting patterns over formal rows. Outside the SRO, the county's general landscaping rule requires only non-invasive plant material.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Porter County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

c. Planting Patterns: Landscape Plans are encouraged to utilize natural patterns rather than formal arrangements.

d. Native Species: Landscape materials shall be comprised of species native to Porter County or of species otherwise approved by the Executive Director.

View official code

Full Breakdown

09(C) 'Landscaping Standards' imposes a native-plant rule that does not exist in the county's baseline zoning districts. 09(C)(1)(a)-(b). 10(B)(1)(b) repeats the native-species mandate for the 75-foot planting strip and sets a rate of 20 trees and shrubs per 100 lineal feet, at least half evergreen, arranged 'in clusters or irregular, nonlinear patterns' rather than a straight hedge. 23 LA-02(A)(3), only bars invasive species ('All plant material shall be non-invasive species not otherwise prohibited by the Executive Director') and does not require native stock. 23(C), with the Executive Director able to grant up to a 180-day weather extension against a bond or letter of credit.

The UDO took effect June 15, 2007, so a landowner inside the SRO corridor should confirm with the Plan Commission Office whether a later amendment has touched these sections before relying on the specific species standard.

Violations & Fines

There is no separate fine schedule attached to this landscaping standard; compliance runs through the development-review process instead. The Executive Director and Plan Commission Office review the required Landscape Plan before approving development in the SRO District, and §5.23(C) ties installation to occupancy: required plantings must go in the ground before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued, subject to a 180-day extension backed by a bond or letter of credit for weather-related delays.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Porter County require native plants in landscaping?
Only inside the Scenic Roadway Overlay District. UDO §3.09(C)(1)(d) requires landscape materials there to be species native to Porter County or otherwise approved by the Executive Director. Everywhere else in the county, §5.23 LA-02 only requires plant material to be non-invasive, so a standard nursery landscape package is acceptable outside the scenic-road corridor.
What plants count as native under this rule?
The UDO does not attach a required species list to §3.09(C)(1)(d); it leaves 'native to Porter County' undefined and lets the Executive Director approve substitutes. The definitions chapter separately describes a prairie as land 'characterized by native grasses and featuring many native forbs' such as Prairie Dock, Big Bluestem, and Indian Grass, though that entry defines the word 'prairie,' not the landscaping standard.
How wide is the required native buffer along a scenic road?
Section 3.10(B)(1)(b) sets the perimeter planting strip at a minimum depth of 75 feet from the roadway right-of-way, planted at 20 trees and shrubs per 100 lineal feet with at least half evergreen, using the same native-species standard found in §3.09(C)(1)(d).
When must the native landscaping actually be planted?
Section 5.23(C) requires all required landscaping, including SRO plantings, to go in before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued. The Executive Director may grant up to a 180-day extension for weather or seasonal conditions, but can require a performance bond or letter of credit as a condition of that extension.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Porter County

Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome RestrictionsNoise Ordinances: Barking DogsSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome RestrictionsFence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions

All Porter County rules

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