Maryland HOA Native Plant Law: Landscaping Rights Explained
Maryland HOA Act — Lawn and Landscaping Provisions (effective 2021)
Maryland law restricts HOAs from preventing homeowners from establishing native plant gardens or from maintaining drought-tolerant landscaping. The state has enacted legislation that protects homeowners who choose environmentally beneficial landscaping from HOA-imposed penalties, recognizing the ecological value of native plants in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
What Your HOA Cannot Do Under Maryland Law
- ✓Fine a homeowner for maintaining native plants as a landscaping choice
- ✓Require removal of a native plant garden that is properly maintained
What Your HOA May Still Regulate
- –Require that native plant gardens be maintained and not appear unkempt
- –Set reasonable appearance standards for landscaping visible from the street
The law limits what HOAs can prohibit, not what they can regulate. Keeping your landscaping maintained and intentional-looking is the most effective way to avoid friction under any HOA regime.
Official source: Maryland HOA Act — Lawn and Landscaping Provisions text. This page is educational context, not legal advice. For enforcement questions, consult a Maryland HOA attorney.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Maryland law specifically address HOA restrictions on native plants?
Maryland has enacted protections for native plant landscaping, but the specific HOA provisions depend on the type of association and the governing documents. Maryland's General Assembly has passed legislation recognizing native plant gardening as a valid landscaping choice. Confirm the current statute citation at mgaleg.maryland.gov or with a Maryland HOA attorney.