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.
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.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
See how other cities in Sacramento County handle native plants.
See how Galt's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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