Jurupa Valley, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

MWELO applies to: new construction landscapes of 500 sq ft or more requiring a permit; rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 sq ft or more for non-permitted homeowner projects; and all non-residential new construction and rehabilitated landscapes of 500 sq ft or more. The prescriptive-compliance option in CCR Title 23 §492 limits turf to 25% of the landscape area for residential projects, requires a minimum 3-inch mulch layer in planting areas, requires compost incorporation (minimum 4 cubic yards per 1,000 sq ft to a depth of 6 inches), and specifies that plant material be climate-adapted. The City of Jurupa Valley applies these requirements through Title 9 (Planning and Zoning) landscape design review for new development. Cal. Civil Code §4735 expressly protects a homeowner's right to install drought-tolerant landscaping (including native plants) in HOA communities and forbids HOAs from fining owners for reducing irrigation during drought emergencies. Cal. Fish and Game Code §§1900–1913 (Native Plant Protection Act) regulates 'endangered' and 'rare' native plants statewide but does not affect routine home landscaping with commercially propagated natives. JCSD and WMWD both offer turf-replacement and California-friendly landscape rebates.