St. George, UT Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Front yard landscaped
- 30% minimum required
- Live vegetation share
- at least half of that area
- Lawn area cap
- 8% of lot, capped 1,500 sq ft
- Water-conserving trees
- 2 minimum, 1.5" caliper
- Native plants
- required to promote conservation
Summary
St. George requires native or other water-conserving plants in residential landscaping and mandates water-conserving shade trees, while capping lawn area, under City Code section 10-23-3.
D. A minimum of one (1) water-conserving tree with at least a one and one-half inch (1 1/2") caliper shall be planted in the front yard. The tree may be a desert tree variety. E. The use of native plants and other water-conserving plants is required to promote water conservation.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 2026-062, passed August 6, 2026).
Full Breakdown
Under City Code section 10-23-3, all new single-family development and remodels that expand a dwelling's footprint must landscape at least 30% of the front yard, with at least half of that area in live vegetation. Lawn is capped at 8% of lot size (up to 1,500-2,000 square feet) and is banned in park strips, landscape strips under 8 feet wide, and slopes over 15%. Each lot needs at least two water-conserving trees with a 1.5-inch caliper, plus one water-conserving front-yard tree that may be a desert variety. Section E separately requires native plants and other water-conserving plants to promote water conservation.
Violations & Fines
Owners who fail to install, maintain, replace or repair required landscaping and irrigation, or who modify an approved landscape plan without prior written city permission, are in violation under subsection H of section 10-23-3.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does St. George require native plants in landscaping?
How much lawn is allowed in St. George?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in St. George
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