Lake County, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Under Sec. 30-15 of the Lake County Grading Ordinance, any land clearing that is not intended to support a structure must be revegetated once grading is complete, and the code directs that this be done "preferably with native species consistent with fire safe practices," unless the Administrative Official (the Director of the Community Development Department or a designee) determines that is impractical given site conditions. Where mulching, seeding or planting is used for slope protection or to stabilize soil storage and sediment containment areas, the code states a clear preference: "Preference should be given to using native, locally adapted grasses, shrubs and trees whenever feasible.

" Property owners are not required to plant exclusively native species, and non-native, low-water or fire-resistant landscaping can satisfy the standard where the Administrative Official finds it appropriate to site conditions, but native, fire-adapted plantings are the code's stated preference for revegetated slopes and disturbed ground. Sites that will not reach final grade by the end of the grading season, or that are likely to be re-disturbed, must instead receive temporary vegetation such as annual grasses or legumes under Sec. 3. Whatever is planted, Sec.

5 requires it to be maintained and irrigated as necessary until it reaches permanent establishment, meaning the native-plant landscaping obligation does not end at planting but continues through the maturity of the vegetation. This revegetation duty applies countywide to grading covered by Chapter 30, tied directly to erosion control and best management practices for storm water runoff on graded parcels in unincorporated Lake County, including the fire-prone hillside communities around Clear Lake.