Bakersfield, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

California Civil Code §4735 preempts HOA rules that prohibit or restrict the use of low-water-using plants or require irrigation that violates state water conservation orders. Bakersfield has adopted the state's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) under BMC landscape standards; new residential landscapes over 500 sq ft and commercial landscapes over 2,500 sq ft require a landscape documentation package demonstrating compliance with the MAWA (Maximum Applied Water Allowance) using plant factors from the WUCOLS database. Native San Joaquin Valley plants like valley oak, California buckwheat, deergrass, toyon, and native sages have low plant factors (0.1-0.3) and help meet MWELO limits. The city Planning Division provides a plant list aligned with regional native nurseries (Intermountain Nursery, Las Pilitas). Cal Water offers turf replacement rebates (typically $2/sq ft) that favor native landscape designs.