Madera County, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Standard
- Avoid invasive plants near sensitive areas
- Defined at
- § 13.56.020, term 'invasive species'
- Applies to
- New/rehabilitated landscape projects only
- Trigger size
- 2,500 sq ft public/commercial
- Cemeteries
- Exempt except irrigation/maintenance rules
- Enforced by
- Planning director plan review + inspection
- Code chapter
- Madera County Code Ch. 13.56
Summary
Unincorporated Madera County's landscape ordinance directs that invasive plant species be avoided in new and rehabilitated landscape plantings, particularly near parks, buffers, greenbelts, water bodies, and conservation areas. The rule sits in the planting-plan requirements of the county's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, Madera County Code Chapter 13.56, and reaches qualifying public, commercial, and new residential projects, not existing yards or a countywide species ban.
5.Invasive species of plants shall be avoided especially near parks, buffers, greenbelts, water bodies, conservation areas/reserves and other open space areas because of their potential to cause harm to environmentally sensitive areas. ... "Invasive species" are non-indigenous species (e.g. plants or animals) that adversely affect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally, or ecologically.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 52).
Full Breakdown
040(B)(5) requires that planting plans submitted for review avoid invasive species of plants, especially near parks, buffers, greenbelts, water bodies, conservation areas/reserves and other open space areas because of their potential to cause harm to environmentally sensitive areas. plants or animals, that adversely affect the habitats they invade economically, environmentally, or ecologically; the chapter does not attach a specific prohibited-species list, so compliance turns on the planning director's review of the submitted planting plan rather than a fixed catalog. 030: public agency and private commercial development with 2,500 square feet or more of landscape area requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review, and new single-family or multi-family residential construction, where new landscape area is capped at 4,500 square feet.
050(A) and (B). 56's requirements; unsigned plans are not accepted for review. 060(C) to inspect for compliance with the chapter, including the invasive-species avoidance standard in the approved planting plan.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 13.56 has no separate fine schedule for invasive plantings; enforcement runs through the permit process. Section 13.56.060(A) requires the planning director to review the planting plan for compliance before a building permit issues, and unsigned or noncompliant plans are not accepted. The planning director may inspect the completed landscape under Section 13.56.060(C), and Section 13.56.060(B) withholds the certificate of occupancy or final inspection sign-off until a certificate of completion confirms the installed landscaping matches the approved, invasive-species-avoiding plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Madera County list specific banned invasive plants?
Does this rule apply to my existing landscaping?
Where does the invasive-species rule apply most strictly?
What happens if my landscape plan includes invasive species?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Madera County
California rules heatmap·Compare Madera County to another location·View the California invasive plant rules overview
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