Bill > A00102

This bill provides legal protections for managed natural landscapes on private property by establishing clear definitions and preventing local authorities from declaring such landscapes a nuisance. Specifically, the bill defines key terms like "managed natural landscape" (intentionally maintained native or non-native plants including rain gardens and meadow vegetation), "meadow vegetation" (native grasses and flowering plants), "ornamental plants" (purposefully planted for aesthetic reasons), and "rain garden" (specific grass blends maintained at a height of eight inches or less). The legislation amends several existing laws to ensure that property owners who maintain natural landscapes within their property boundaries cannot be forced to remove these landscapes by local health boards or municipal authorities, even if the plants grow over eight inches tall and go to seed. The bill protects property owners' rights to cultivate diverse, ecological landscapes while excluding noxious weeds or plants that might pose genuine public health risks. By making these changes to public health, town, and New York City administrative laws, the bill aims to support more environmentally friendly and biodiverse landscaping practices while preventing overly restrictive local regulations about vegetation height and composition.

Government Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A102