Rancho Cucamonga, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Rancho Cucamonga supports California native and drought-tolerant landscaping through a combination of city policy, state law, and water district rebates. California Government Code 65595 prohibits cities from banning drought-tolerant landscaping, and Civil Code 4735 prohibits HOAs from restricting low-water plants, artificial turf, or water-wise landscape design. The citys General Plan encourages native planting along parkways and open space buffers. The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), adopted through the California Code of Regulations Title 23 and applied locally to new landscapes over 500 square feet, requires plant lists with low Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) ratings. Recommended natives for the Rancho Cucamonga climate (Sunset Zone 18 to 19) include California lilac (Ceanothus), white sage (Salvia apiana), manzanita, coast live oak, toyon, deergrass, and California poppy. The city partners with the Theodore Payne Foundation and the California Native Plant Society for educational events. Invasive species such as fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum), which is a fire risk, are discouraged. Parkway plantings must remain within the city-approved street tree list and MWELO compliance is reviewed through Building and Safety during permit.