Hawthorne, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- HMC § 17.86.040(L)
- Baseline requirement
- Plant from Appendix A approved list
- Off-list plants
- Case-by-case director approval only
- Disqualifiers
- Noxious/invasive propagator, invasive roots, excess water, hazard
- Companion definition
- "Invasive plant species," HMC § 17.89.020
- Reference lists used
- California Invasive Plant Inventory, USDA weeds database
Summary
Landscaped areas required under Hawthorne's zoning title must be planted from the city's approved Appendix A plant list, and the planning director will only clear an off-list species after confirming it is not a noxious or invasive propagator and will not damage structures or property lines with invasive roots.
All landscaped areas, required by this title or otherwise, shall be planted with plants from the list of approved landscaping plants in Appendix A at the end of this title. 1. The use of plants not on the list may be approved by the director of planning on a case-by-case basis. The applicant is responsible to provide documentation that the proposed plants are appropriate for the climate and the proposed location on the property. The director of planning will approve the use of the plant upon determining that it is not considered a noxious or invasive propagator, that it does not create problems with invasive roots when proposed near structures or property lines, that the plant does not require excessive watering to thrive, and that the plant does not pose a hazard to persons or structures.
Full Breakdown
040(L) requires that all landscaped areas, whether required by Title 17 or otherwise, be planted with species from the list of approved landscaping plants in Appendix A. A property owner or developer who wants to use a plant not on that list needs case-by-case approval from the director of planning, and the burden is on the applicant to document that the proposed plant suits the climate and the specific location on the property. The director will only approve an off-list plant after determining four things: it is not a noxious or invasive propagator, it will not create invasive-root problems near structures or property lines, it does not require excessive watering to thrive, and it does not pose a hazard to people or structures.
This landscaping standard recurs, word for word, across multiple zoning chapters covering different residential and commercial classifications, showing it functions as a citywide baseline rather than a one-off rule. 020, separately defines "invasive plant species" as species not historically found in California that spread outside cultivated areas and can damage environmental or economic resources, noting that county agricultural agencies may regulate such species as noxious weeds and that lists are maintained at the California Invasive Plant Inventory and the USDA invasive and noxious weeds database.
Violations & Fines
Installing or maintaining an unapproved, invasive, or noxious plant species in a required landscaped area without the director of planning's case-by-case sign-off violates Section 17.86.040(L). Landscape plans submitted for plan check that specify off-list species without documentation can be rejected outright, delaying permit issuance, and existing violations discovered during a project's required landscape inspections can require the owner to remove and replace the noncompliant planting at their own expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Hawthorne property owner plant any species in a required landscaped area?
What makes a plant "invasive" under Hawthorne's code?
How does Hawthorne's planning director approve an off-list plant?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Hawthorne
California rules heatmap·Compare Hawthorne to another location·View the California invasive plant rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle prohibited species.