Gilroy, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Threshold
- 500 sq ft new or 2,500 sq ft rehab
- Governing section
- Gilroy City Code § 30.38.120
- Plan signer
- Licensed landscape architect or contractor required
- Median rule
- High water use plants barred in street medians
- Enforcement
- Article LIII, Chapter 6A administrative citation
Summary
In the City of Gilroy, any landscape project adding 500 square feet of new planting or rehabilitating 2,500 square feet must submit a landscape design plan under Gilroy City Code § 30.38.120. The plan must show the project achieves efficient water use, and one accepted method is protecting existing native species and choosing water-conserving trees, turf and local native plants instead of high-water ornamentals city-wide.
(1) Plant Material. a. Any plant may be selected for the landscape, providing the estimated total water use in the landscape area does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance. Methods to achieve water efficiency may include one (1) or more of the following: 1. Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation; 2. Selection of water-conserving plant, tree and turf species, especially local native plants;
Full Breakdown
Gilroy's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, codified at Chapter 30 Article XXXVIII, applies to every landscape project installed after December 1, 2015 that adds 500 square feet or more of new planted area, or rehabilitates 2,500 square feet or more, under § 30.38.20. Applicants for a building permit or architectural and site permit must submit a landscape documentation package to the Community Development Department, and § 30.38.120 sets the plant material design standard within that package: the estimated total water use in the landscape may not exceed the maximum applied water allowance, and § 30.38.120(b)(1)a lists protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation, and selection of water-conserving plant, tree and turf species (especially local native plants), among the accepted methods to hit that budget.
The same subsection bars high water use plants (plant factor 0.7 to 1.0) from street medians, discourages California Invasive Plant Council listed species, and forbids a common interest development's architectural guidelines from prohibiting low water use plants. Plans must bear the signature of a licensed landscape architect or landscape contractor. Trees selected under this section must also meet § 30.38.40's general landscape standards. Noncompliance with any provision of Article XXXVIII, including the plant material standard, is enforced under § 30.38.260 through Article LIII, the Zoning Ordinance's enforcement chapter, which authorizes administrative citations under Chapter 6A. Community Development reviews the landscape documentation package before issuing the building or site permit.
Violations & Fines
Failing to submit a compliant landscape design plan, or installing a landscape that exceeds the maximum applied water allowance, is enforced as a zoning violation under Gilroy City Code § 30.38.260, which routes noncompliance through Article LIII's Zoning Ordinance enforcement chapter. That chapter allows Community Development to issue an administrative citation under Chapter 6A, carrying a penalty set by the city council's citation fee schedule, before any certificate of occupancy or completion is granted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Gilroy require me to plant native species in my yard?
Which Gilroy projects trigger the native-plant/water-efficiency design standard?
Who reviews Gilroy's landscape design plan for compliance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Gilroy
California rules heatmap·Compare Gilroy to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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