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Santa Rosa, CA Invasive Plant Rules: Prohibited Species (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Governing section: City Code § 14-30.040(B)(2)(g)
Prohibited list: California Invasive Plant Council species
Trigger: New/rehabbed landscape needing a permit
Review point: Step 1 final design review
Appeal window: 10 City working days to Director of Water
Adopted: Ord. 3925 (2010); amended Ord. 4051 (2015)

Summary

Any covered landscape project in Santa Rosa, new or rehabilitated construction needing a building or grading permit, plan check, design review or utilities certificate, is barred from using invasive plants listed by the California Invasive Plant Council. The ban sits inside the City's landscape design plan standard, Code Section 14-30.040.

Invasive plants as listed by the California Invasive Plant Council are prohibited.

View official code

Full Breakdown

040(B)(2)(g) states plainly that invasive plants listed by the California Invasive Plant Council are prohibited from the landscape design plan required for covered projects. That plan requirement, adopted by Ordinance No. 3925 in 2010 and amended by Ordinance No. 020. 060 before a building permit can move to Step 2 plan check. 040 where that better addresses a project's design. 020(B).

Violations & Fines

A landscape design plan listing a Cal-IPC invasive species will not clear the Step 1 final design review documentation check under Section 14-30.060(A)(1), which blocks progress to the Step 2 building permit plan check and, ultimately, the certificate of completion and final landscape inspection needed before building permit final approval. An applicant or any affected person may appeal a plan check or inspection decision to the Director of Water, then to the Board of Public Utilities, by filing written notice within 10 City working days under Section 14-30.080; a plan check appeal must be filed before landscape installation begins or it is deemed waived.

Frequently Asked Questions

What plants count as prohibited under this rule?

Any species on the California Invasive Plant Council's list. Section 14-30.040(B)(2)(g) incorporates that list by reference rather than naming species in the City Code itself, so applicants should check Cal-IPC's current inventory before finalizing a design plan.

Does this rule cover landscaping I'm not changing?

No. Section 14-30.020 limits the ban to new and rehabilitated landscape projects that require a building or grading permit, plan check, design review or utilities certificate; untouched existing landscaping isn't reviewed under this chapter.

Who checks my plant list for invasive species?

City staff review the landscape design plan during Step 1 final design review under Section 14-30.060, before the project can proceed to building permit plan check, so the invasive-plant check happens early in the permit process.

Can I appeal if my plan is rejected over a listed plant?

Yes. File written notice of appeal with the Director of Water within 10 City working days of the decision under Section 14-30.080, and, if needed, a further appeal goes to the Board of Public Utilities, whose decision is final.

Sources & Official References

[1]Santa Rosa City Code § 14-30.040 (qcode.us)

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