I just became aware of the new MN law/guidance on vegetation in yards etc., a version of which the City of Anoka has adopted. I'd like to know asap if it is allowable to nurture existing native vegetation....? We have some nice flowering plants that I've taken care of (carrot family, yarrow, etc.) and left unmowed but contained to certain areas, primarily the back of the property and our north boulevard--my main reason for this is that when we moved in a couple years ago, the previous owners had wrecked the yard and the county and city had wrecked the boulevard by driving on it and dumping snow etc., and I felt that manicured native plants looked a whole lot better than bare dirt. The lawn itself (which is 4/5 of our quarter-acre property within the city, one of those big old yards) is mowed, and I've planned perennials in it in little circular gardens. The code guy is claiming I have to wipe out all the native plants and start from the bare dirt--my question is, is this true??. He is threatening to have the City mow it all down at my expense and gave me only a week to "fix" it! I am almost 65 years old and suffering from heat exhaustion trying to accomplish this besides my normal 40-hour-a-week job, which is also mostly outdoors! Please help with any facts/interpretation you deem appropriate.