Newport Beach, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- NBMC § 20.36.070
- Irrigation exemption
- Native-plant areas skip automatic irrigation
- Design priority
- Drought-tolerant xeriscape emphasized
- Invasive buffer
- 50 ft from sensitive habitat areas
- Minimum widths
- 3 ft shrubs, 4 ft trees
- Plan preparer
- Licensed landscape architect or equivalent
Summary
Newport Beach's Zoning Code exempts areas intentionally maintained with native plants from the automatic irrigation system otherwise required for new landscaping, and directs landscape designs to emphasize drought-tolerant, xeriscape planting under Municipal Code Section 20.36.070.
Plant Selection and Grouping. Plant materials shall be selected for low water demand and drought tolerance... 1. Drought Tolerant Species. Landscape designs shall emphasize the use of drought tolerant plant species (xeriscape)... G. Irrigation System Requirements. 1. All landscaped areas, except those intentionally maintained with native plants, shall include an automatic irrigation system.
Full Breakdown
070. 1 requires an automatic irrigation system for all landscaped areas 'except those intentionally maintained with native plants,' meaning a native-plant area can be installed and maintained without the automatic irrigation system, controllers, and check valves mandated everywhere else in the section. 070(D)(2)). 060(D)). 060(F)).
Violations & Fines
Landscaping installed without an approved plan, or that swaps in disallowed invasive species instead of the required native/drought-tolerant palette, is a violation of Chapter 20.36 and the Zoning Code generally. Under Newport Beach Municipal Code Section 1.04.010, a Code violation is prosecutable as a misdemeanor unless the City specifically designates it an infraction, and each day the noncompliant landscaping remains constitutes a separate offense (Section 1.04.030). The City can also pursue administrative citations and recover administrative costs, including inspection and enforcement staff time, through the administrative citation process in Chapter 1.05.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need an irrigation system if I plant only natives?
Does every home in Newport Beach need a landscape plan?
Can I plant any native species I want near the bay?
Who has to prepare the landscape plan for native planting?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Newport Beach
California rules heatmap·Compare Newport Beach to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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