Palm Desert, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)
Key Facts
- Banned classes
- Invasive, noxious and nuisance plant species
- Named nuisance species
- Washingtonia robusta, Dalbergia sissoo, Euphorbia tirucalli
- Invasive ratings covered
- Watch, limited, moderate and high
- Where banned
- Design plans, city property, and private property
- Penalty section
- § 24.04.140, enforced by city manager or designee
- Appeal window
- Fifteen days, to city manager then city council
Summary
In the City of Palm Desert, California, Municipal Code § 24.04.060 prohibits every plant species classed as invasive, noxious or nuisance. The ban reaches landscape design plans, city property including parks, parkways and rights-of-way, and private property. Washingtonia robusta, Dalbergia sissoo and Euphorbia tirucalli are named as nuisance species.
"Nuisance plant species"means any plant species that is either: (1) not designated as "noxious" or "invasive" in this section, but may cause or causes a threat to public health and safety; or (2) is designated as "noxious" or "invasive" but requires special attention to avoid potential threats to public health and safety. Nuisance plant species include, but are not limited to, the following species: Washingtonia robusta, Dalbergia sissoo and Euphorbia tirucalli. ... C. Prohibitions. All plant species categorized as "invasive," "noxious," and "nuisance" are hereby prohibited within the city's jurisdiction. This prohibition includes, but is not limited to, the following: 1. Plant species categorized as "invasive," "noxious," or "nuisance" are prohibited from use in landscape design plans as outlined in Section 24.04.050 of Title 24 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code. 2. Plant species categorized as "invasive," "noxious," or "nuisance" shall not be installed on city property, including parks, parkway areas, and rights-of-way. 3. Plant species categorized as "invasive," "noxious," or "nuisance" shall not be installed on private property.
Full Breakdown
Section 24.04.060 sits in Chapter 24.04 of the Palm Desert Municipal Code, the chapter that also governs landscape documentation packages and irrigation. Its stated purposes are to preserve public health and safety, protect public and private property from the damaging spread of invasive, noxious and nuisance plants, and protect indigenous plants and wildlife.
The section sorts plants into three classes. An invasive species is a non-native plant whose introduction causes or could cause economic or environmental harm or harm to human health, and the definition automatically includes any species on the California Invasive Plant Inventory or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Invasive and Noxious Plant Database, regardless of rating: watch, limited, moderate or high. A noxious species is one injurious to agricultural crops, natural habitats and ecosystems, humans and livestock, including species designated under the Federal Noxious Weed Control and Eradication Act of 2004 and identified on a regional district noxious plant species control list. A nuisance species threatens public health and safety without carrying either label, or carries a label but needs special attention. The code names Washingtonia robusta, Dalbergia sissoo and Euphorbia tirucalli and states that nuisance species are not limited to those three.
Subsection C applies the ban in three places. These plants are prohibited in landscape design plans under § 24.04.050, they cannot be installed on city property, including parks, parkway areas and rights-of-way, and they cannot be installed on private property. Subsection D then makes any new development that plants or replants a covered species a violator, subject to the enforcement and penalties in § 24.04.140. The chapter's applicability provision separately states that existing landscapes are subject only to Sections 24.04.110, 24.04.120, 24.04.130 and 24.04.140, so owners of established landscapes should read the two provisions together.
Violations & Fines
Under § 24.04.060(D), a new development that plants or replants a prohibited species is in violation and faces § 24.04.140. After written notice, the city manager or a designee can revoke a landscape documentation package or an approved conditional use permit, withhold a certificate of use, certificate of occupancy or building permit, issue a stop work order, abate a public nuisance under Chapter 8.20, or issue a citation. Violators are guilty of an infraction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which plants are banned in the City of Palm Desert?
Does the ban cover a private yard in Palm Desert?
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Desert
California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Desert to another location·View the California invasive plant rules overview
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Prohibited Species in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle prohibited species.