Anza, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Riverside County adopted the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance through Ordinance 859, requiring landscape design plans for new construction and significant rehabilitation of outdoor areas over 500 sq ft (non-residential and new multifamily) or 2,500 sq ft (existing single-family homeowner projects). The ordinance prefers climate-appropriate plants, groups plants by hydrozone, mandates efficient drip irrigation in non-turf areas, and caps turf area. Native plants from California-friendly plant lists (California native salvias, manzanitas, ceanothus, buckwheat, oaks; desert natives like brittlebush, desert willow, creosote) qualify as low-water species. Desert native plants are protected under the California Desert Native Plants Act and cannot be collected from public land without a permit. Western Joshua trees are now a state-threatened species under the 2023 Act. Coachella Valley water agencies and Riverside County offer turf-replacement rebates for converting lawn to California-friendly landscapes. The MSHCP may require native plantings as mitigation in conservation-adjacent projects. Invasive ornamentals (pampas grass, arundo, Mexican feathergrass) are discouraged or prohibited on new county projects.