Merced County, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Drought-tolerant/native minimum
- 90% of plant material
- Non-drought-tolerant cap
- 10%, must be grouped
- Turf cap
- 30% of landscaped area
- Minimum shrub/tree size
- 1 gallon shrubs, 15 gallon trees
- Governing standard
- State WELO, Cal. Code Regs. Title 23 § 2.7
Summary
Merced County's landscaping code requires 90 percent of the plant material on any landscaped project in the unincorporated area to be drought-resistant, well-suited to the local climate, or naturally occurring. Non-drought-tolerant plants are capped at 10 percent and must be grouped for separate irrigation.
A. Plant Materials. The selection of plant materials shall include: 1. 90 percent drought-resistant and well-suited to local climate or naturally occurring; 2. A combination of deciduous and evergreen (trees, shrubs, and groundcover); ... 4. 10 percent non-drought tolerant materials may be used if grouped together for possible separate irrigation;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4930839; v8 updated 2026-06-02).
Full Breakdown
050(A), General Landscape Standards, the county requires that plant material selection for every landscape project in the unincorporated area favor drought-tolerant and native species. The code sets a hard split: 90 percent of plant material must be "drought-resistant and well-suited to local climate or naturally occurring," while only 10 percent may be non-drought-tolerant material, and that portion must be grouped together so it can be placed on a separate irrigation zone. Selection must also mix deciduous and evergreen trees, shrubs, and groundcover, and must favor species that control dust, erosion, heat, and glare, and resist graffiti damage to adjacent walls.
7 of the California Code of Regulations, as adopted in 2015). 050(B)(1), with exceptions available only by approval of the Planning Director. Shrubs must be at least one gallon and trees at least 15 gallons at installation. Landscape and irrigation plans for larger projects are reviewed against these standards as part of the county's site plan and design review process, and plant placement must also avoid interference with utility service lines, sight visibility, and solar access on adjoining parcels.
Violations & Fines
The Merced County Planning Department enforces the 90/10 drought-tolerant plant ratio and the 30 percent turf cap through the discretionary permit and site plan review process rather than a standalone citation schedule: a landscape plan that does not meet Section 18.36.050 is rejected or conditioned before development approval issues. Once installed, landscaping found out of compliance during inspection can be enforced as a zoning code violation under the county's general Title 18 enforcement provisions, which can lead to a correction order, denial of final occupancy, or referral to code enforcement for abatement at the owner's expense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I landscape my unincorporated Merced County property entirely with drought-tolerant or native plants?
Does the drought-tolerant plant rule apply to my existing yard?
How much lawn can I install under Merced County's landscaping standards?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Merced County
California rules heatmap·Compare Merced County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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