Rancho Cucamonga, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- HOA protection
- Civil Code 4735 prohibits banning drought plants
- Climate zone
- Sunset Zone 18 to 19, Inland Empire
- MWELO
- Applies to new landscapes over 500 sq ft
- Recommended natives
- Ceanothus, salvia, manzanita, toyon, oaks
- Avoid
- Fountain grass and other flammable invasives
Summary
Rancho Cucamonga encourages California native and drought-tolerant landscaping. HOAs cannot prohibit water-wise plants under Civil Code 4735, and MWELO requires efficient plant palettes for new landscapes.
4735. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a provision of the governing documents or architectural or landscaping guidelines or policies shall be void and unenforceable if it does any of the following:
(1) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of low water-using plants as a group or as a replacement of existing turf.
(2) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass.
(3) Has the effect of prohibiting or restricting compliance with either of the following:
(A) A water-efficient landscape ordinance adopted or in effect pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 65595 of the Government Code.
(B) Any regulation or restriction on the use of water adopted pursuant to Section 353 or 375 of the Water Code.
(b) This section shall not prohibit an association from applying landscaping rules established in the governing documents, to the extent the rules fully conform with subdivision (a).
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, except as provided in subdivision (d), an association shall not impose a fine or assessment against an owner of a separate interest for reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns during any period for which either of the following have occurred:
(1) The Governor has declared a state of emergency due to drought pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8558 of the Government Code.
(2) A local government has declared a local emergency due to drought pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 8558 of the Government Code.
Full Breakdown
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my HOA force me to keep a grass lawn?
Does Rancho Cucamonga offer rebates for native plants?
What natives work well in Etiwanda foothills?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cucamonga
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cucamonga to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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