San Jose, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Trigger
- 30%+ water shortage resolution
- Restricted window
- May through October
- Exempt
- Drought-tolerant or native plants
- Also exempt
- Food-producing plants or trees
- Code section
- SJMC § 15.10.360
Summary
During a declared 30%+ water shortage, San Jose bans new outdoor landscape installation with overhead irrigation May through October, but drought-tolerant and native plants are exempt from that ban.
After adoption by the city council of a resolution declaring a thirty percent or greater water shortage, it shall be unlawful for any person to install new outdoor landscaping, or plantings, during the months of May through October in an area with an overhead irrigation system unless the overhead irrigation system is disconnected, removed or converted to drip irrigation... except for: A. Installation of drought-tolerant or native plants, or plants or trees grown for consumption; or
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 5 Update 3).
Full Breakdown
San Jose Municipal Code § 15.10.360 blocks new landscaping or plantings with overhead sprinklers from May through October once the city council declares a thirty-percent-or-greater water shortage, unless the sprinklers are removed or switched to drip irrigation. Subsection A carves out an exception: installing drought-tolerant or native plants, or food-producing plants and trees, is allowed without that irrigation-conversion requirement. The exemption only applies once a shortage resolution is in effect, it is not a year-round native-planting incentive.
Violations & Fines
Installing new landscaping with an active overhead sprinkler system during May-October of a declared 30%+ shortage, without disconnecting, removing, or converting it to drip irrigation and without qualifying for the drought-tolerant/native-plant exception, violates § 15.10.360 and is enforced under the city's water shortage response chapter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Jose require native plants in landscaping?
Can I still install a lawn with sprinklers during a water shortage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Jose
California rules heatmap·Compare San Jose to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Native Plants in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle native plants.