Native Plants: Brentwood vs El Cerrito
How do native plants rules compare between Brentwood, CA and El Cerrito, CA?
Brentwood has fewer restrictions than El Cerrito.
Brentwood, CA
Contra Costa County
California law strongly encourages drought-tolerant landscaping in Brentwood. HOAs cannot prohibit low-water landscaping under Civil Code Section 4735, and the state's MWELO requires water-efficient design for new and retrofit landscapes exceeding 500 square feet. Rebates are available through Contra Costa Water District partners for turf removal.
View full Brentwood rules →El Cerrito, CA
Contra Costa County
New and rehabilitated landscapes over 500 sq ft in unincorporated Contra Costa must comply with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). Rebates for lawn-to-xeriscape conversions are available through EBMUD and CCWD, and HOAs cannot prohibit drought-tolerant landscaping under Civil Code 4735.
View full El Cerrito rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Brentwood | El Cerrito |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| MWELO threshold | - | 500 sq ft new/rehab landscape |
| Turf cap | - | Generally 25% of landscape area |
| HOA rule | - | Cannot ban drought-tolerant (Civ Code 4735) |
| EBMUD rebate | - | Up to $2/sq ft turf replacement |
| Greywater | - | Laundry-to-landscape permit-exempt |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Brentwood FAQ
El Cerrito FAQ
Do I need a permit to replace my lawn with drought-tolerant plants?
Typically no permit is required for residential landscape replacement under 500 sq ft, but if you are installing new irrigation or retaining walls, a permit may apply.
Can my HOA require a front lawn?
No. Civil Code 4735 prohibits HOAs from requiring turf or penalizing members for drought-tolerant landscaping.
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