Isleton, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- MWELO
- 500 sq ft threshold
- Natives
- Not mandated but encouraged
- Delta Species
- Valley oak, tule, deergrass
- Water Budget
- Required for new landscapes
- Stormwater
- NPDES MS4 native plantings
Summary
MWELO requires water-efficient landscapes including native plants for new installations over 500 square feet. Delta-adapted native plants (tule, valley oak, native grasses) are encouraged in Isleton.
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by choosing 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. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Usually, local agencies that adopt WELOs create a more stringent ordinance than MWELO.
Full Breakdown
California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, 23 CCR 490) applies to new residential landscapes over 500 square feet and requires water-budget calculations, hydrozoning, and efficient irrigation. While not mandated, native and climate-appropriate species satisfy water-use-efficiency targets more easily. Delta-appropriate natives for Isleton include valley oak, Fremont cottonwood, California wild rose, deergrass, and native tule in wetland margins. The Sacramento Stormwater Quality Partnership encourages bioretention with native plants for NPDES MS4 compliance. No city-specific native-plant mandate exists.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to plant natives?
What natives grow well in the Delta?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Isleton
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How other cities in Sacramento County handle native plants.