San Jose follows the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) guidance and the Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan. Prohibited species for new landscaping include pampas grass, English ivy, and Scotch broom. The city's street tree list excludes invasive species.
San Jose references the California Invasive Plant Council (Cal-IPC) inventory for invasive species guidance. The Santa Clara Valley Habitat Plan, which San Jose participates in, identifies species that should not be planted in new development or restoration areas, including pampas grass (Cortaderia selloana), English ivy (Hedera helix), Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius), French broom (Genista monspessulana), and yellow star thistle (Centaurea solstitialis). San Jose's approved street tree list excludes invasive species. The city's Riparian Corridor Policy (Council Policy 6-34) prohibits invasive species planting within riparian setback areas. For commercial development, the San Jose Municipal Code requires landscaping plans that comply with the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), which encourages drought-tolerant native species over invasives.
No criminal penalties for residential planting. Development projects using prohibited species may have permits denied or landscaping plans rejected.
San Jose, CA
San Jose Municipal Code Title 7 (Animal Care and Control) requires dogs in public places, city parks, and trails to be on a leash no longer than six feet, re...
San Jose, CA
San Jose imposes no general restriction on year-round lawn ornaments, statuary, or religious displays on private residential property. The sign code (SJMC Ch...
San Jose, CA
San Jose has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential inflatable holiday displays. Size, height, and motor noise are not restricted by the munic...
San Jose, CA
San Jose has no ordinance limiting the duration, brightness, or hours of residential holiday lighting. The general nuisance provisions in SJMC Title 6 and th...
San Jose, CA
A built-in outdoor kitchen in San Jose typically requires multiple permits: a building permit for any structural roof or counter exceeding the patio cover ex...
San Jose, CA
San Jose does not have a dedicated ordinance for backyard smokers, pellet grills, or wood-fired ovens. Use is governed by the multifamily balcony restriction...
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