Palmdale, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- First water-efficiency method
- Preservation of native species and natural vegetation
- Governing law
- PMC Ch. 14.05, Ord. 1475 (2015)
- ETAF cap
- 0.55 residential / 0.45 nonresidential landscapes
- Plant source
- City of Palmdale approved plant and tree lists
- Noncompliance consequence
- Certificate of completion can be denied
- Older landscapes
- Over 1 acre metered sites face irrigation audits
Summary
Palmdale's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance directs developers to cut irrigation demand by protecting existing native vegetation and choosing local native or climate-adapted species over turf. PMC Section 14.05.090 lists preservation of native species as the first accepted method for meeting the city's maximum applied water allowance on covered landscape projects.
Any plant may be selected from the City of Palmdale approved plant list for the landscape providing the estimated applied total water use recommended for the project site in the landscape area does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following: (i) Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation; (ii) Selection of water conserving plant species, tree and turf species, especially local native plants; (iii) Selection of plants based on local climate suitability, disease and pest resistance...
Full Breakdown
05 (Ord. " Trees must come from the City's approved tree list. 45 for nonresidential landscapes, exclusive of special landscape areas, with estimated total water use kept below the maximum applied water allowance. 080 must inform the plant and irrigation choices. Because native, climate-adapted species typically need the least supplemental water, they are the most direct route to meeting the ETAF cap, making native planting the practical default for any project the ordinance covers.
Violations & Fines
Chapter 14.05 enforces plant selection through the permit process, not fines. Under Section 14.05.120(C)(2), the City may deny the certificate of completion if the installed landscape, including its plant material, fails to match the approved documentation package built around the native-species selection methods of Section 14.05.090(A)(1)(a); denial triggers City-provided reapplication or appeal information. Existing metered landscapes over one acre exceeding the water allowance face City-administered irrigation audits under Section 14.05.220.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Palmdale require native plants in new landscaping?
What water-use limit does my landscape plan have to meet?
What happens if my finished landscape does not match the approved native-plant plan?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palmdale
California rules heatmap·Compare Palmdale to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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