BELLA VISTA, Ark. — The City of Bella Vista revealed plans to accommodate our colorful flying friends by relaxing certain plant growth laws to give monarch butterflies more places to habitate.
The city approved the ordinance in November, but the actual rule changes went into place on Jan. 28.
"As a result of Mayor Flynn taking the Mayor's Monarch Pledge, the city [will allow] taller grass within city limits only with the intent to allow Monarch Butterfly sanctuaries and habitats," the city posted. "This program will allow residents to create native pollinator habitats with vegetation taller than 10 inches ... A permit is not required"
The new requirements:
- Vegetation must consist of native, pollinator species.
- Vegetation must not be within the right-of-way or sight triangle.
- Vegetation must be within a landscaped area with a maximum size of 140 sq. ft. or 1% of the lot's acreage (whichever is greater).
- Vegetation must be within a landscaped area that has a well-defined containment border.
- Vegetation must be within a landscaped area kept free of tall grass and invasive species such as:
- Kudzu Vine
- Chinese Privet
- Greater Periwinkle
- English Ivy
- Japanese Honeysuckle
- Amur Honeysuckle
- Tatarian Honeysuckle
- Chinaberry
- Heavenly Bamboo
- Cogon Grass
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