Stanislaus County, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Water-conserving minimum
- 90% of non-turf plants
- Non-drought-tolerant allowance
- up to 10%, grouped & separately irrigated
- Definition
- § 21.102.030(C)
- Numeric standard
- § 21.102.040(B)
- Adopted
- Ordinance CS 509, 1992
Summary
Stanislaus County pushes new landscaping toward native and drought-tolerant plants rather than mandating a specific native-species list. Section 21.102.040(B) requires at least ninety percent of the plants used in non-turf areas of a required landscape plan to be 'water conserving': defined in Section 21.102.030(C) as species that survive on limited supplemental water once established in their planting location.
"Water conserving plant" means any plant which exhibits drought tolerant characteristics, that is to say, will, in designed location, survive with limited supplemental water. Hybrid dwarf type fescues and warm season grasses shall be considered water conserving. ... It is required that at least ninety percent of the plants selected in non-turf areas be well-suited to the climate of the region and require minimal water once established in the landscape. Up to ten percent of the plants may be of a nondrought-tolerant variety as long as they are grouped together and can be irrigated separately.
Full Breakdown
020 exempts single-family homes from a mandatory landscape plan. 030(C) defines a 'water conserving plant' as 'any plant which exhibits drought tolerant characteristics, that is to say, will, in designed location, survive with limited supplemental water,' and specifically names hybrid dwarf fescues and warm-season grasses as qualifying turf types; the planning department maintains a suggested plant list that can be expanded on a certified nurseryman's or landscape architect's recommendation. 040(B) then sets the numeric standard: at least ninety percent of the plants chosen for non-turf planting areas must be well-suited to the region's climate and require minimal water once established, with up to ten percent allowed to be non-drought-tolerant as long as those plants are grouped together on a separate irrigation valve.
The same section requires a licensed landscape architect, landscape contractor, architect, engineer or certified irrigation designer to prepare the landscape and irrigation plans that demonstrate compliance.
Violations & Fines
A landscape plan that falls short of the ninety-percent water-conserving standard is not approved by the planning director under Section 21.102.050, which blocks issuance of the underlying building or development permit until the plan is revised. Because Chapter 21.102 operates through the permit-approval process rather than a standalone citation, noncompliance discovered after installation is enforced the same as any other zoning violation, under Stanislaus County Code Section 1.36.010's misdemeanor penalty of up to $1,000 and six months in jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Stanislaus County require native plants in new landscaping?
Do single-family homes have to submit a landscape plan?
Can I still plant some grass or non-drought-tolerant plants?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stanislaus County
California rules heatmap·Compare Stanislaus County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.