Maryland HOA Native Plant Law
Maryland passed House Bill 322 in 2021. It was the first state law in the nation to require HOAs to permit "low-impact landscaping" on owner property. That includes native plants, xeriscaping, rain gardens, and other water-wise practices. HOAs cannot require turf grass. If you live in a Maryland HOA and want to replace lawn with natives, this law is on your side.
Quick version
- •HOAs must allow low-impact landscaping: native plants, xeriscaping, rain gardens, and similar practices.
- •HOAs cannot require turf grass. You can replace lawn with qualifying low-impact landscaping.
- •Associations can still set reasonable rules about appearance and maintenance. A clear plan and tidy design help.
- •Maryland is often cited by advocates in other states. If you're in Maryland, you have one of the strongest statutory backstops in the country.
Your rights under House Bill 322
The law applies to condominiums and homeowners associations. It says that a governing body may not prohibit or restrict an owner from installing or maintaining low-impact landscaping on the owner's property. "Low-impact landscaping" is defined to include native plants, xeriscaping, rain gardens, and other practices that reduce water use and support pollinators and wildlife.
It also says the governing body may not require an owner to plant or maintain turf grass. So you can replace lawn with a native planting bed or a rain garden and cite the statute if the board pushes back.
Your association can still adopt rules about where and how landscaping is installed, as long as those rules don't effectively prohibit low-impact landscaping. Submitting a plan before you plant, with clear edges and maintenance expectations, usually makes the process smoother.
How to make it work with your HOA
These articles cover presenting your yard, responding to violation letters, and building a plan your board can say yes to.
How to Get Your HOA to Approve Native Landscaping (Step by Step)
The actual process: what to submit, when to submit it, and how to frame it so your board says yes.
Read moreMy HOA Sent Me a Violation Letter: How to Respond with a Native Landscaping Plan
Got a letter? Don't panic. Here's how to respond with a plan that shows intention.
Read moreHOA-Conscious Native Landscaping: Why Structure Matters More Than Plant Choice
Most HOA complaints aren't about what you planted. They're about how it looks from the street.
Read moreIntentional vs Natural: The One Word That Changes How Your HOA Sees Your Native Yard
The difference between a yard that gets a letter and one that gets compliments.
Read moreCheck for rebates in Maryland
Some Maryland counties and utilities offer rebates for rain barrels, rain gardens, and native landscaping. Enter your zip code to see what's available.
Maryland resources
Ready to plan your native yard?
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right plants for your zone, lay them out, and build a plan you can print and bring to your HOA board.
Last updated: March 2026