Cupertino, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Chapter
- 14.15, Landscape Ordinance
- Invasive species list source
- Cal-IPC inventory and USDA noxious weeds database
- Applicable region
- IPC Central West (CW) region
- New installation
- Prohibited
- Existing invasive plants on/near site
- Must be removed before new landscaping installed
- Enforcing office
- Director of Community Development
Summary
Cupertino's Landscape Ordinance bans installing any invasive plant species or noxious weed as part of a new or rehabilitated landscape project, and requires existing invasive plants on or next to the site to be removed before new landscaping goes in.
Invasive plant species/noxious weeds: Installation shall be prohibited. Existing within or adjacent to the proposed landscape area shall be removed prior to installation of new landscaping.
Full Breakdown
020. 030 defines 'invasive plant species' as species listed in the invasive plant inventory of the California Invasive Plant Council and the USDA invasive and noxious weeds database that have been identified as invasive to the IPC-delineated Central West region, which covers Santa Clara County. 060's Non-turf Restrictions require plants to be arranged appropriately for the site's climate, slopes, sun exposure, and wildfire susceptibility, and specifically bar the installation of any invasive plant species or noxious weed; where such species already exist within or adjacent to the proposed landscape area, they must be removed before the new landscaping is installed.
050) for larger and non-residential projects, both reviewed by the Director of Community Development before final permit issuance. The same subsection also discourages fire-prone plant materials and highly flammable mulch, and requires defensible-space planting in wildland urban interface areas under California Public Resources Code Section 4291.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 14.15 ties compliance to the underlying building, planning, or grading permit: a Certificate of Completion and Certificate of Installation (Section 14.15.050) must confirm the installed landscape, including plant selection, matches the approved documentation package before final inspection is granted, so an invasive-species installation can block permit sign-off. The Director of Community Development administers and enforces the chapter's landscape documentation requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plant an invasive species in my landscaping when I remodel my Cupertino home?
Do I have to remove invasive plants already growing on my property in Cupertino?
Which projects in Cupertino have to follow the invasive-plant rule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cupertino
California rules heatmap·Compare Cupertino to another location·View the California invasive plant rules overview
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Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle prohibited species.