Hesperia, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Hesperia's Development Code §16.24.110 directs landscape and grading plans to comply with San Bernardino County Development Code §88.01.060, which lists protected native desert plant species (Joshua tree/Yucca brevifolia, Mojave yucca, desert willow, smoke tree, creosote, juniper) that must be inventoried, preserved in place, transplanted, or mitigated as part of any development project. A Protected Plant Preservation Plan prepared by a qualified biologist must accompany applicable applications. California Civil Code §4735 broadly prohibits HOAs from banning low-water-using plants — common interest developments may not require maintenance of dead lawn during a declared drought, and they may not penalize members for installing drought-tolerant or native landscaping that complies with reasonable design guidelines. Cal. Civil Code §1940.10 extends similar protections to renters. The Mojave Water Agency administers Cash for Grass / turf-replacement rebates (commonly $1–$2 per sq ft) for converting traditional turf to drought-tolerant landscaping in High Desert communities including Hesperia. MWELO (CCR Title 23 §§490–495) requires that 75% of plants in new non-turf landscape areas over 500 sq ft be low-water-use species — natives easily qualify.