Washington, DC Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

DC promotes native plant landscaping as part of its Chesapeake Bay TMDL and MS4 stormwater compliance obligations. The Department of Energy and Environment's RiverSmart Homes program provides $1,200 to $6,000 in subsidies for residential installations of rain gardens, shade trees, rain barrels, permeable pavement, and native plant gardens. DOEE publishes a Native Plant Guide tailored to DC's Piedmont ecoregion and promotes alternatives to invasive species like English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle, and Bradford pear. There is no District-wide ordinance requiring native species in residential landscaping, but the Stormwater Management Guidebook requires native plants in certified best management practices and LEED-compliant developments. The Property Maintenance Code (DCMR 14-805) requires turf and plantings to be maintained — weeds and grass over 10 inches create violations — so intentionally unmaintained native meadows can trigger citations unless designed with clear pathways, mulched beds, and defined edges. HOAs cannot prohibit properly maintained native gardens under general common-law nuisance standards; DC has no specific Right to Garden statute.