Merced, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Non-invasive plant minimum
- 90% of plants/trees
- Exception path
- minor use permit
- Applies to
- all zoning districts
- Plan review
- development services dept.
- Governing section
- MMC 20.36.060(A)(1)
Summary
Merced does not publish a banned-species list, but its landscaping ordinance requires at least 90 percent of the plants and trees in any new landscaped area to be drought-tolerant, non-invasive species unless a minor use permit approves otherwise.
A.General Standards. The following standards apply within all zoning districts.1.Plant Selection. A minimum of ninety (90) percent of plants and trees shall be selected drought-tolerant, non-invasive species, unless otherwise approved with a minor use permit.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 85 - 1-26).
Full Breakdown
" This is a plant-selection percentage rule rather than a named species blacklist: the code does not list individually prohibited plants, but instead pushes the burden onto the landscape plan itself. 36, including the 90 percent drought-tolerant, non-invasive threshold, before approval. 070(F)(3)(a) applies the identical drought-tolerant, non-invasive standard to interior parking lot landscaping. Any departure from the 90 percent threshold, for example, choosing more than 10 percent conventional or potentially invasive ornamental species, requires an affirmative minor use permit rather than being available by right.
060(D) requires landscaping to stay in a "neat and healthful condition" and requires dead or severely damaged plants to be replaced within 90 days of a determination by the director of public works.
Violations & Fines
A landscape plan approved under Chapter 20.36 that is later planted with more than 10 percent non-compliant species without a minor use permit is out of compliance and can be flagged by development services at final inspection or upon complaint; uncorrected landscape violations are enforceable as a public nuisance under Section 1.12.080 and are otherwise punishable under the general misdemeanor/infraction penalties in Section 1.12.020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Merced ban specific invasive plant species?
Can I plant more than 10 percent non-native or invasive species?
Does this rule apply to commercial parking lot landscaping too?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced to another location·View the California invasive plant rules overview
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