Native Plants: Santa Rosa vs Sonoma
How do native plants rules compare between Santa Rosa, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Santa Rosa has fewer restrictions than Sonoma.
Santa Rosa, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma County does not mandate native plants for private yards. For projects subject to its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Code Chapter 7D3), landscapes must meet a water budget that favors low-water, climate-appropriate planting. Voluntary programs like Russian River-Friendly Landscaping promote natives but are not legally required.
View full Santa Rosa rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
The City does not mandate native plants by species list, but SMC § 19.40.060 (Landscape standards) and SMC Ch. 14.32 require drought-tolerant plantings in conformance with the city's low-water-use landscaping ordinance, and prohibit turf in commercial landscapes except in active play areas.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Santa Rosa | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Native-plant mandate | None for private yards | - |
| WELO code chapter | Sonoma County Code Chapter 7D3 | - |
| WELO effective | January 15, 2010 | - |
| Plant water-use tiers | High / moderate / low | - |
| Russian River-Friendly Landscaping | Voluntary guidelines | - |
| Native-only mandate | - | No (drought-tolerant required) |
| Commercial turf | - | Prohibited except play areas (§ 19.40.060) |
| Plant database used | - | WUCOLS (low/medium/high) |
| Oak / native tree preference | - | Yes (SMC Ch. 12.08) |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Santa Rosa FAQ
Does Sonoma County require me to plant native plants?
No. There is no native-plant mandate for private yards. However, projects subject to the County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance must meet a water budget that strongly favors low-water, climate-appropriate plants, which are often natives.
What is Russian River-Friendly Landscaping?
It is a voluntary regional program offering design guidelines, native and watershed-friendly plant lists, and recognition signage. It promotes natives but does not impose any legal requirement on Sonoma County property owners.
Sonoma FAQ
Does Sonoma require me to plant California natives?
No. The City requires drought-tolerant, water-efficient plantings under SMC Ch. 14.32 and § 19.40.060, but does not mandate a native-only species list for residential gardens. Natives generally satisfy the lowest plant-water-use category in WUCOLS and make MAWA compliance easier.
Can a new commercial development have a lawn?
Generally no. SMC § 19.40.060 prohibits lawn in commercial landscaping unless it is part of an active play area. Decorative turf is treated as 'non-functional' and not allowed.
Compare other topics
See how Santa Rosa and Sonoma compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool