Legislation and Model Ordinances
In Pennsylvania, there are diverse local townships, ordinances, institutions, homeowners associations, and cultural norms that have made it difficult or even illegal in various ways to grow native plants. Some places are far more rigid than others. The PNPS mission advocates the conservation of native plants and their habitats and promoting the increased use of native plants in the landscape
What can we do?
We are gathering examples of ordinances and legislation related to native plant landscaping to provide assistance with change initiatives.
E-mail us at info@panativeplantsociety.org if you are working toward the prevention of noxious weeds and encouraging native plant ordinances in Pennsylvania. We will post updated information, model native plant ordinances, and information for individuals living in Home Owners Associations, or working with institutions in order to help others working towards the same goal.
Together, we can make a difference – one yard at a time.
What can we do?
- Organize toward statewide legislation banning the sale of noxious invasive plants.
- Organize statewide model ordinances for native plants in Pennsylvania through networking with diverse stakeholders.
- Encourage people to request native plants from their nurseries and landscapers.
- Work with local government officials to update ordinances to provide for the use of native plants and discourage the use of non-native invasives.
We are gathering examples of ordinances and legislation related to native plant landscaping to provide assistance with change initiatives.
E-mail us at info@panativeplantsociety.org if you are working toward the prevention of noxious weeds and encouraging native plant ordinances in Pennsylvania. We will post updated information, model native plant ordinances, and information for individuals living in Home Owners Associations, or working with institutions in order to help others working towards the same goal.
Together, we can make a difference – one yard at a time.
A few model ordinances:
York: https://www.ycpc.org/293/Model-Ordinance
Chester County: https://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/3663/Native-Plants-Planning-Bulletin?bidId=
Bucks County: http://pa.audubon.org/sites/default/files/static_pages/attachments/native-plant-ordinance-final-2017.pdf
Ferguson Township, Centre County: https://ecode360.com/31006295#31981497
Minnesota: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2019-12/Native%20Landscaping%20Ordinance%20Examples.pdf
Illinois: http://grownative.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Grow-Native-Model-Native-Plant-Ordinance1Nov2013.pdf
Missouri: https://mymlsa.org/government-and-legal-issues/ordinances/weed-and-nuisance-plant-ordinances/
National examples: https://www.marc.org/Environment/Air-Quality/pdf/NativeLandscapingOrdinances-4pg-June2013.aspx
Other Resources:
DCNR: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/WildPlants/LandscapingwithNativePlants/Pages/default.aspx
Pa Dept. of Agriculture: - AGRICULTURE CODE (3 PA.C.S.) - CONTROLLED PLANTS AND NOXIOUS WEEDS: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/industrial_hemp/Documents/Act%2046%20of%202017%20Controlled%20Plants%20and%20Noxious%20Weeds.pdf
Ben Vogt's writing has HOA action steps advice: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-design-an-hoa-approved-pollinator-garden-stsetivw-vs~82221720
How to pass a weed inspection: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/how-to-pass-weed-inspection-a-real-life-story-guide?fbclid=IwAR3SHYBc68OHUitDKw-05NcjVnjn8EltlARqvKTv6pNTEw2GlMm9KTPcn5A
York: https://www.ycpc.org/293/Model-Ordinance
Chester County: https://www.chesco.org/DocumentCenter/View/3663/Native-Plants-Planning-Bulletin?bidId=
Bucks County: http://pa.audubon.org/sites/default/files/static_pages/attachments/native-plant-ordinance-final-2017.pdf
Ferguson Township, Centre County: https://ecode360.com/31006295#31981497
Minnesota: https://bwsr.state.mn.us/sites/default/files/2019-12/Native%20Landscaping%20Ordinance%20Examples.pdf
Illinois: http://grownative.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Grow-Native-Model-Native-Plant-Ordinance1Nov2013.pdf
Missouri: https://mymlsa.org/government-and-legal-issues/ordinances/weed-and-nuisance-plant-ordinances/
National examples: https://www.marc.org/Environment/Air-Quality/pdf/NativeLandscapingOrdinances-4pg-June2013.aspx
Other Resources:
DCNR: https://www.dcnr.pa.gov/Conservation/WildPlants/LandscapingwithNativePlants/Pages/default.aspx
Pa Dept. of Agriculture: - AGRICULTURE CODE (3 PA.C.S.) - CONTROLLED PLANTS AND NOXIOUS WEEDS: https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Plants_Land_Water/industrial_hemp/Documents/Act%2046%20of%202017%20Controlled%20Plants%20and%20Noxious%20Weeds.pdf
Ben Vogt's writing has HOA action steps advice: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-design-an-hoa-approved-pollinator-garden-stsetivw-vs~82221720
How to pass a weed inspection: https://www.monarchgard.com/thedeepmiddle/how-to-pass-weed-inspection-a-real-life-story-guide?fbclid=IwAR3SHYBc68OHUitDKw-05NcjVnjn8EltlARqvKTv6pNTEw2GlMm9KTPcn5A
