Palm Springs actively encourages Sonoran Desert natives and climate-appropriate plants under PSMC Chapter 8.70, with approved plant lists emphasizing low-water species like palo verde, ironwood, mesquite, ocotillo, desert willow, and native grasses. California Civil Code §4735 prevents HOAs from prohibiting drought-tolerant landscaping.
The city's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (PSMC Chapter 8.70) requires new and substantially renovated landscapes to use plants with low water-use ratings from the WUCOLS (Water Use Classification of Landscape Species) database. Desert-native species dominate the preferred plant palette: palo verde (Parkinsonia florida), ironwood (Olneya tesota), mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa), ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), creosote (Larrea tridentata), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), and desert marigold. Hydrozoning requirements group plants by water needs so low-water zones don't get over-irrigated. California Civil Code §4735 (amended by AB 2104 and SB 814) prohibits HOAs from prohibiting or unreasonably restricting low-water-use plants; during declared droughts, HOAs cannot fine owners for reducing lawn irrigation. Invasive species like fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) are discouraged because they spread wildfire fuel. Rebate programs through DWA and CVWD pay per square foot for converting turf to desert landscaping.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Palm Springs code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
Palm Springs, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle native plants.
See how Palm Springs's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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