San Bernardino County, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Encouraged By
- Development Code Chapter 83.10 (native/drought-tolerant plants required on new projects)
- Protected By
- Development Code Chapter 88.01 (Plant Protection and Management)
- Protected Desert Natives
- All Joshua trees, yuccas/agaves, smoketree, mesquite, creosote rings, ironwood, palo verde
- Invasive Plants
- Avoided near parks, water bodies, and conservation areas
- Coordinating State Law
- California Desert Native Plants Act (Food and Agricultural Code Section 80001 et seq.)
- Expert Certification
- Desert Native Plant Expert or arborist may be required
Summary
San Bernardino County's Development Code requires native and drought-tolerant plants in new and rehabilitated landscaping, and Chapter 88.01 protects native trees and desert plants from removal. Joshua trees and listed desert natives are regulated. Owners are encouraged to landscape with natives, but removing protected natives requires a permit.
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are influenced by local climate. To increase water efficiency and better use a valuable resource, rainwater and stormwater collection and graywater and recycled water can replace or augment potable water use in landscapes. New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Usually, local agencies that adopt WELOs create a more stringent ordinance than MWELO. The purpose of water efficient landscape ordinances is to not only increase water efficiency but to improve environmental conditions in the built environment. Landscaping should be valued beyond the aesthetic because landscapes replace habitat lost to development and provide many other related benefits such as improvements to public health and quality of life, climate change mitigation, energy and materials conservation and increased property values.
Full Breakdown
San Bernardino County both encourages and protects native plants in unincorporated areas. 10 (Landscaping Standards) directs that 'native and drought-tolerant plant materials capable of surviving with a minimal amount of supplemental water shall be utilized,' that invasive plants be avoided near sensitive areas, and that fire-prone, highly flammable plants be avoided. The Chapter's purpose statement calls for preserving existing natural vegetation while incorporating native plants, plant communities, and ecosystems into landscape design where possible. 01 (Plant Protection and Management) regulates the removal of native trees and plants.
060 protects listed desert native plants that may not be removed except under a Tree or Plant Removal Permit, including all Joshua trees, all century plants/nolinas/yuccas (family Agavaceae), smoketree and mesquites (with stems two inches or more in diameter or six feet or more in height), creosote rings ten feet or greater in diameter, and desert ironwood and palo verde (living or dead). ). 070. The County may require certification from a Desert Native Plant Expert, arborist, or registered professional forester for native plant work.
Violations & Fines
Removing or damaging a protected native tree or desert plant without a Tree or Plant Removal Permit is a misdemeanor under Section 88.01.050(j), with a fine of $500 to $1,000 per plant, up to six months in jail, or both, plus a mandatory replacement program. Landscaping that uses prohibited invasive or fire-prone plants on a permitted project can be required to be corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the County require or encourage native plants?
Can I remove native desert plants like Joshua trees or yuccas?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Bernardino County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Bernardino County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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