Berkeley encourages California native landscaping through the Bay-Friendly program and EBMUD rebates. Natives reduce water use, provide habitat, and align with fire-wise design in the VHFHSZ.
Berkeley's Climate Action Plan and Urban Forestry policies actively promote California native and Mediterranean-climate landscaping. Under the Bay-Friendly Landscape program (regional), the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), and EBMUD's Lawn Conversion Rebate (up to 2 dollars per square foot converted), native gardens are incentivized. Recommended natives for Berkeley include Coast Live Oak, Toyon, California Lilac (Ceanothus), Manzanita, Yarrow, Deer Grass, and California Poppy. In the VHFHSZ, native selection must align with fire-wise design: no continuous shrub fuel beds within 30 feet of structures, avoidance of highly resinous species (juniper, rosemary hedges) in Zone 1, and spacing to prevent fire ladders. MWELO requires landscape designs over 500 square feet (residential) or 2,500 square feet (commercial) to submit plans demonstrating water efficiency, with a bias toward natives. Berkeley Horticulture and the California Native Plant Society East Bay Chapter provide plant lists. Contact Planning at (510) 981-7410.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting lawn ornaments, statues, or yard art on private property. HOA architectural guidelines under the Davis-Stirling ...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting inflatable holiday decorations on private property. HOA architectural rules under the Davis-Stirling Act apply i...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting holiday lights on private residential property. Restrictions come from HOA architectural rules under the Davis-S...
Berkeley, CA
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Berkeley require building, plumbing, electrical, and/or gas permits under BMC Chapter 19.28 (Building Code) when they include u...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley treats outdoor smokers as open-flame cooking devices under California Fire Code 308.1.4 as adopted in BMC 19.48. Multifamily balcony setbacks (10 ft...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley enforces the California Fire Code (CFC) as adopted in BMC Chapter 19.48. CFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking on combustible balconies or within...
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