Roseville, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- RMC Chapter 14.18, effective Dec. 1, 2015
- Trigger
- Permit, plan check, or design review project
- Native plants
- Listed compliance method, not the only option
- Enforcing agency
- Environmental Utilities Director
- Max penalty
- $500 fine or 6 months jail, misdemeanor
- Reduced penalty
- $250 fine if reduced to infraction
Summary
Roseville's Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance requires any project needing a building permit, plan check, or design review permit to submit a landscape plan proving it meets a water budget, and lists protecting native species and selecting local native plants among the required compliance methods. City Code Section 14.18.050(B)(4)(a) ties native plant selection directly to the mandatory water-efficiency review the environmental utilities director conducts before issuing a permit.
Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following: i. Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation; ii. Selection of water-conserving plant, tree and turf species, especially local native plants; iii. Selection of plants based on local climate suitability, disease and pest resistance;
Full Breakdown
18, adopted by Ordinance 5659 and effective December 1, 2015, applies to new construction and rehabilitated landscape projects that need a building permit, plan check, or design review permit, including homeowner-installed single-family projects covering more than 2,500 square feet. 3 or less on 75 percent of the planted area. 050(B)(4)(a) requires the landscape design plan's plant materials to address water efficiency through one or more listed methods, including protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation, selection of water-conserving plant, tree and turf species with an emphasis on local native plants, and selection based on local climate suitability and disease and pest resistance. 0 are separately banned from street medians. 010(C)(5), ties this native-plant emphasis to protecting and creating wildlife habitat while avoiding invasive species. 150(A).
Violations & Fines
Installing, altering, or maintaining landscaping contrary to Chapter 14.18, or violating a permit condition issued under it, is unlawful under Section 14.18.150(B), and the city attorney may sue to enforce compliance. Section 14.18.160 makes a violation a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $500 fine, up to six months in county jail, or both, though the city attorney may reduce it to an infraction carrying up to a $250 fine. Each day a violation continues is a separate offense, and administrative citations under Chapter 2.52 may substitute for court penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Roseville require me to plant only native species?
What projects trigger Roseville's native/water-efficient plant rules?
Who enforces Roseville's landscaping ordinance and what happens if I don't comply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roseville
California rules heatmap·Compare Roseville to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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