Galt, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- State rule
- MWELO, 23 CCR 490+
- Threshold
- 500 sf residential
- HOA protection
- Civil Code 4735
- Plant database
- WUCOLS
- Climate
- Sac Valley natives
Summary
Galt encourages drought-tolerant and California native plantings through the state MWELO landscape ordinance. New residential landscapes over 500 square feet must demonstrate a water budget favoring low-water species, and HOA restrictions against native plants are void under state law.
climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are influenced by local climate. To increase water efficiency and better use a valuable resource, rainwater and stormwater collection and graywater and recycled water can replace or augment potable water use in landscapes. New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), codified at Title 23 California Code of Regulations Section 490 and following, applies to new or rehabilitated landscapes over 500 square feet at single-family homes and over 2,500 square feet at multifamily and nonresidential sites. Galt implements MWELO when issuing building and landscape permits. The ordinance sets a Maximum Applied Water Allowance based on local evapotranspiration, caps high-water-using turf area, requires dedicated irrigation controllers, and favors California-friendly and native species through plant factors listed in the WUCOLS database. California Civil Code Section 4735 prohibits HOAs from enforcing architectural restrictions that would require living plant material or prohibit drought-tolerant landscaping during a state or local drought declaration, and provides for low-water landscaping rights at other times. Valley Oak, California poppy, deergrass, and ceanothus are common native choices in the Sacramento Valley climate. Galt's Water Department typically provides conservation resources and may list regional rebates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my HOA have to let me install natives?
Do I need a landscape plan for a small renovation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Galt
California rules heatmap·Compare Galt to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Native Plants in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle native plants.