Perris, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Perris promotes native and drought-tolerant landscaping mainly through Chapter 19.70 (Landscaping), its local water-efficient landscape ordinance. PMC 19.70.030 requires new and rehabilitated landscapes to not exceed a maximum water demand of 70 percent of reference evapotranspiration (ETo) and implements California's Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (Title 23 CCR, Ch. 2.7, the state MWELO). The code references WUCOLS (Water Use Classification of Landscape Species) to classify plant water needs and treats any landscape with a plant factor of 0.7 or greater as 'water intensive.' CC&Rs may not prohibit low-water-use plants or block replacing turf with less water-intensive species (PMC 19.70.030(c)). Invasive species, defined by reference to the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), are discouraged. Design guidelines in PMC 19.70.060 require 'water-wise plant materials' on slopes, a three-inch uniform layer of wood mulch in planting areas, and that turf be minimized and confined to use areas; front-yard turf may not exceed 70 percent of the total planting area, and model homes must include xeriscape designs on at least 25 percent of units. While the code does not mandate a specific native-species palette for existing single-family yards, it strongly favors low-water, climate-appropriate plants and aligns with EMWD's 'Landscapes for Living' program. California's MWELO is the statewide backbone; Perris's chapter is at least as effective and adds local MSHCP and design specifics.