Alameda, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

The City of Alameda actively supports native and drought-tolerant landscaping. Its Bay-Friendly and Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, AMC Section 30-58 (adopted by Ordinance 3153 in 2016), states purposes that include promoting quality, water-efficient landscaping suited to Alameda's climate and soils, establishing standards consistent with the StopWaste.Org Bay-Friendly Landscape protocols, diverting plant debris from landfills, promoting greywater, and discouraging the planting of invasive plants. Section 30-58.3 defines the Bay-Friendly Landscape Guidelines and the Bay-Friendly scorecard maintained by City staff, and Section 30-58.4 makes covered landscape projects subject to the most recently adopted Bay-Friendly Landscaping Guidelines and Standard Landscape Conditions of Approval. A covered project is a new project with 500 square feet or more of landscaped area, or a rehabilitated landscape over 2,500 square feet. For these projects, the Bay-Friendly approach rewards native and California-friendly plant palettes, reduced turf, healthy soil, and reduced chemical use. There is no ordinance requiring a lawn, and homeowners may replace turf with native plantings; EBMUD offers lawn-conversion rebates that support such projects. Smaller residential plantings below the covered-project thresholds are not required to file a Bay-Friendly package, but native, low-water plant choices are encouraged citywide.