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Bishop, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified July 2026

Key Facts

Governing chapter
BMC Ch. 13.07 WELO
Applies to
New / rehabilitated landscaping
City goal
Encourage low water use
Native plants
Encouraged, drought-tolerant
Runoff to street
Prohibited

Summary

Bishop actively encourages water-efficient, low-water-use landscaping. Its Water-Efficient Landscapes ordinance (BMC Ch. 13.07) applies to new and rehabilitated landscaping and promotes drought-tolerant plantings suited to the Eastern Sierra.

The policy of the city and the purpose of this chapter is to: 1. Promote the wise use of water and landscaping; 2. Encourage low water use landscapes; 3. Recognize that low, medium and high-water use landscapes may be appropriate depending on soil and groundwater conditions.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 4).

Full Breakdown

Bishop Municipal Code Chapter 13.07 (Water-Efficient Landscapes) sets landscape and irrigation goals for all new and rehabilitated landscaping on public, commercial, residential and development projects. Section 13.07.020 directs the City to 'encourage low water use landscapes' while recognizing low, medium and high-water zones depending on soil and groundwater. It also promotes irrigation without overspray onto paving and bars irrigation runoff into streets or alleys. Native and drought-tolerant plants fit these goals well and reduce watering under the City's drought stages. No ordinance forbids traditional lawns, but water-efficient and native designs are the encouraged standard.

Violations & Fines

New or rehabilitated projects that fail the Ch. 13.07 water-efficiency standards can be denied approval or required to revise landscape and irrigation plans; runoff into streets is prohibited.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Bishop require native plants?
It does not mandate natives, but BMC Ch. 13.07 encourages low-water-use landscapes for new and rehabilitated projects, and drought-tolerant native plants meet that standard well.
Can I keep a grass lawn in Bishop?
Yes, no ordinance bans lawns. During drought stages, though, irrigation is restricted, so low-water and native designs are easier to maintain and are the City's encouraged approach.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Bishop

Parking Rules: Overnight ParkingSome RestrictionsWater RestrictionsSome RestrictionsWeed OrdinancesLight RestrictionsParking Rules: Curb Color RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Loading ZonesHeavy RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Driveway RulesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesLight Restrictions

All Bishop rules

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