Tuscaloosa, AL Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Any development subject to article VI, division 3 of the zoning ordinance must submit a landscape plan under Sec. 25-131(a) identifying every plant type proposed and showing compliance with the division's planting standards; single-family detached and duplex lots are exempt from all of division 3 except the utility-easement rule, per Sec. 25-129(a). Sec. ' Sec. 25-131(d)(4)(ii) reinforces the same policy for all vegetative material generally, stating that plant material must be adapted to site conditions and that native, drought-tolerant vegetation is encouraged to cut irrigation dependency.

The purpose clause at Sec. ' Once a landscape plan is approved, Sec. 25-131(b)(1) requires the developer to certify installation to the director of planning, who inspects the site before a certificate of occupancy can issue, giving the city a second checkpoint to catch a non-compliant species that slipped past initial plan review. These standards were adopted by Ord. No. 9572, § 2, effective December 17, 2024, with the applicability section further amended by Ord. No. 9751, § 37, effective March 10, 2026.