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HF 456

A bill for an act concerning city ordinances regarding vegetation planted in residential areas by landowners including property along curb lines.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Sean Bagniewski

Prohibits cities in low-speed residential zones from restricting owners' vegetation up to 42 inches overall or 34 inches near curb lines, preempting local height limits.

Introduced, referred to Local Government.
#citygovernment #curbs #ordinances #plants(vegetation)
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HF 456

HF 456 — Summary

Overview

  • Bill number: HF 456
  • Title: A bill for an act concerning city ordinances regarding vegetation planted in residential areas by landowners including property along curb lines.
  • Status: Introduced, referred to Local Government (February 18, 2025)
  • Primary sponsor: Bagniewski
  • Purpose (as stated in the bill): To limit a city’s ability to regulate certain vegetation planted by landowners in residential areas, including vegetation near curb lines, within districts zoned for residential use and with a low speed limit.

Key Provisions

  • New subsection added to Code section 364.3 (Code 2025).
  • Prohibition scope: A city may not adopt or enforce any ordinance, motion, resolution, or amendment that restricts a real property owner in a residential district with a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or less from growing purposely planted vegetation that is:
    • 42 inches tall or less in height (for the general area), or
    • 34 inches tall or less in height for the portion of the property abutting the curb line that may obstruct a motorist’s view.
  • Practical effect: Local governments would be precluded from imposing restrictions on such vegetation up to the specified height thresholds in these low-speed residential districts.

Scope and Impact

  • Affected entities: Municipalities in districts zoned for residential use with speed limits of 25 mph or less, and property owners within those districts.
  • What is not addressed by the text: The bill does not specify actions for vegetation taller than the thresholds, nor does it remove other state or local authorities to regulate vegetation for safety, nuisance, sightlines beyond the described thresholds, or in other zoning contexts (e.g., higher-speed roads, non-residential districts). It also does not specify an effective date or funding mechanisms.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: February 18, 2025
  • Legislative action to date: Referred to the Local Government committee.
  • Explanatory note: The bill includes a standard explanatory section, stating the bill’s purpose and clarifications; the explanation is not an endorsement of substance by legislators.

Potential Implications

  • Property owners in eligible residential zones would have greater leeway to maintain vegetation up to the specified heights without local restrictions, potentially affecting sightlines and neighborhood aesthetics.
  • Cities would need to adjust or remove any current or proposed ordinances that would exceed the thresholds or apply to the restricted zones, aligning with the bill if enacted.

This summary captures the introduced text and its immediate implications. Further amendments or committee actions could modify scope, thresholds, or applicability.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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