Stamford, CT Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Claim window
- 7 days from notice
- Decided by
- Anti-Blight Officer, sole discretion
- Must exclude
- Noxious weeds, invasive plants
- May require
- Certified landscape plan on file
Summary
Stamford property owners cited for blight can claim an exemption for a maintained native-plant meadow, but only by written request within seven days and only if the Anti-Blight Officer approves.
A Property Owner may claim an exemption from the provisions of this Article on the grounds that an alleged Property Maintenance Violation is a Managed Natural Meadow Landscape. The Property Owner's exemption claim must be made in writing to the Anti-Blight Officer within seven (7) days of the date of the Notice of Violation...(1) The Meadow is a planned, intentional, and maintained planting of primarily native grasses, wildflowers, ferns, sedges, shrubs, or trees; and (2) The Meadow does not include any Noxious Weeds; and (3) The Meadow does not include any Invasive Plants.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Sec. 146-46.1 lets an owner cited for a blight violation claim, in writing within seven days, that the condition is a Managed Natural Meadow Landscape. The Anti-Blight Officer decides, in sole discretion, whether the planting is genuinely planned and maintained, uses primarily native grasses, wildflowers, ferns, sedges, shrubs or trees, contains no noxious weeds or invasive plants, doesn't block sidewalks, hydrants or sightlines, and matches a certified Managed Natural Meadow Landscape Plan the owner must submit on request.
Violations & Fines
This is an exemption, not a standalone right: missing the 7-day claim window, or losing approval, leaves the standard § 146-46/§ 146-47 blight fines and lien process fully in force.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I avoid a Stamford blight citation by letting my lawn grow wild?
How fast do I need to claim the meadow exemption?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stamford
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