Compton, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Compton Municipal Code § 24-8.7
- Applies to
- Rosecrans Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard corridors only
- Core rule
- Low-maintenance, drought-resistant landscaping with irrigation
- Sample species
- Manzanita, lantana, sea fig, mondo grass, agave
- Design review
- Architectural Review Board oversees corridor landscaping
- Geographic limit
- Does not apply citywide, corridors only
Summary
Compton requires property owners along its Rosecrans Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard corridors to landscape with low-maintenance, drought-resistant plants and irrigation systems rather than conventional turf, under Municipal Code § 24-8.7. The same section favors native and drought-tolerant species, such as manzanita, lantana and sea fig, for the Renaissance Gardens, buffer areas and vacant lots that line the two corridors.
Owners of property along the designated corridors shall use low-maintenance, drought-resistant landscaping with an irrigation system to improve the appearance of the designated corridors including the maintenance of the Renaissance Gardens and the landscaping of walls and fences, vacant lots, and buffer areas. ... The use of drought tolerant plant species is desirable, especially in large areas next to buildings and parking lots.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4952997; v15 updated 2026-07-14; through 07-14-2026).
Full Breakdown
7, adopted under Ordinance 1978 as part of Compton's Corridor Improvement Plan, opens by requiring that owners of property along the designated corridors use low-maintenance, drought-resistant landscaping with an irrigation system to improve the appearance of the designated corridors, covering the Renaissance Gardens, walls and fences, vacant lots, and buffer areas along the Rosecrans Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard corridors. The section's plant lists lean heavily on drought-tolerant and native-adjacent species: the Renaissance Gardens call for Marathon sod or Raoulia australis, ground covers such as aster, gazania and trailing Sweet Alyssum, and shrubs including manzanita and Heavenly Bamboo.
7(d)(1) states outright that the use of drought tolerant plant species is desirable, especially in large areas next to buildings and parking lots. 5 receive priority help curing other code violations, such as graffiti or exterior disrepair, while carrying out the required landscaping. 2(e).
Violations & Fines
A corridor property landscaped with turf or plants outside the required low-maintenance, drought-resistant palette can be required to bring the planting into compliance through the Architectural Review Board process tied to Section 24-8.6, and a lot left unlandscaped or overgrown can additionally be cited as a general nuisance under Section 24-2.2, triggering notice, a hearing and a potential lien for abatement costs under Chapter 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Compton require drought-tolerant landscaping anywhere in the city?
What plants does Compton recommend for corridor landscaping?
Who approves landscaping changes along Compton's corridors?
Does the drought-tolerant landscaping rule apply outside the two corridors?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Compton
California rules heatmap·Compare Compton to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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