Santa Clara encourages California native landscaping through MWELO compliance and Valley Water rebates. Native plants are allowed as lawn replacements citywide.
California Government Code 65595 and the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) require new and renovated landscapes over specified sizes to use low-water plants, efficient irrigation, and compliant hydrozone design. California native species such as coast live oak, toyon, California poppy, sages, and deergrass satisfy MWELO water budget requirements and support pollinators. Santa Clara's landscape design guidelines encourage native plant palettes in new development and public projects. Residential owners may replace lawns with native plantings without special approval, though heritage trees and street trees remain protected. Valley Water's landscape rebate pays per-square-foot for replacing turf with qualifying low-water plantings, mulch, and drip irrigation. HOAs cannot prohibit drought-tolerant landscaping under Civil Code 4735.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Santa Clara, CA
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Santa Clara County.
See how other cities in Santa Clara County handle native plants.
See how Santa Clara's native plants rules stack up against other locations.
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