Rialto, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Plant palette
- Native or water-conserving species required
- Landscape plans
- City approval required
- Lawns
- Minimized in commercial, high-density projects
- State standard
- MWELO applies to new permitted landscapes
Summary
Rialto's water conservation chapter requires native or water-conserving plant species in landscaping, with landscape plans approved by the city, and lawns minimized in commercial, hotel, condominium, and high-density housing developments. State MWELO efficiency standards apply to larger new landscape projects.
The use of native or water-conserving plant species for landscaping purposes is required; landscape plans shall be approved by the city. The use of lawns shall be minimized in commercial, hotel, condominium, and high-density housing developments and shall be subject to city review and conditioning of projects.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 39).
Full Breakdown
RMC 12.20.010(C) requires the use of native or water-conserving plant species for landscaping and city approval of landscape plans; subsection (D) requires lawns be minimized in commercial, hotel, condominium, and high-density housing projects subject to city review and conditioning. Subsection (J) requires new water services, other than single-family homes and apartment complexes of up to four units per meter, to install a separate water meter for on-site landscaping. These local rules sit alongside California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (23 CCR sec. 490 et seq.), which applies statewide to new permit-requiring construction landscapes, setting a maximum applied water allowance plus plant-selection and irrigation-efficiency standards administered through local agencies.
Violations & Fines
Landscape plans that lack native or water-conserving species are not approved by the city; new development cannot proceed without approved plans and required separate irrigation meters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rialto require drought-tolerant landscaping?
What is MWELO?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rialto
California rules heatmap·Compare Rialto to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Native Plants in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle native plants.