HF 2618

as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/10/2022 05:05pm

A bill for an act
relating to local government; requiring cities to allow native landscapes on private
land; prohibiting certain vegetation overgrowth within cities; proposing coding
for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 412.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [412.925] NATIVE LANDSCAPES.
new text end

new text begin (a) A statutory city or home rule charter city shall allow an owner, authorized agent, or
authorized occupant of any privately owned lands or premises, to install and maintain a
managed natural landscape. For purposes of this section, the terms are defined as follows:
new text end

new text begin (1) "managed natural landscape" means a planned, intentional, and maintained planting
of native or nonnative grasses, wildflowers, forbs, ferns, shrubs, or trees, including but not
limited to rain gardens, meadow vegetation, and ornamental plants. Managed natural
landscapes does not include turf-grass lawns left unattended for the purpose of returning to
a natural state;
new text end

new text begin (2) "meadow vegetation" means grasses and flowering broad-leaf plants that are native
to, or adapted to, the state of Minnesota, and that are commonly found in meadow and
prairie plant communities, not including noxious weeds. Noxious weed shall have the
meaning assigned by section 18.77, subdivision 8;
new text end

new text begin (3) "ornamental plants" means grasses, perennials, annuals, and groundcovers
purposefully planted for aesthetic reasons;
new text end

new text begin (4) "rain garden" means a native plant garden that is designed not only to aesthetically
improve properties, but also to reduce the amount of stormwater and accompanying pollutants
from entering streams, lakes, and rivers; and
new text end

new text begin (5) "turf-grass lawn" means a lawn comprised mostly of grasses commonly used in
regularly cut lawns or play areas, including but not limited to bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass
blends, intended to be maintained at a height of no more than eight inches.
new text end

new text begin (b) Managed natural landscapes may include plants and grasses in excess of eight inches
in height and that have gone to seed, but may not include any noxious weeds and must be
maintained.
new text end

new text begin (c) Except as part of a managed natural landscape as defined in this section, any weeds
or grasses growing upon any lot or parcel of land in a city to a greater height than eight
inches or that have gone or are about to go to seed are prohibited.
new text end