Santa Clarita, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Project size trigger
- 500 to 2,500 sq ft new landscape
- Residential coverage
- 75% climate-adapted, low-water plants
- Turf cap
- 25% of residential landscape area
- Mulch depth
- 3-inch minimum on exposed soil
- Compost rate
- 4 cubic yards per 1,000 sq ft
- Adopting section
- UDC § 17.51.030(A)(10), (B)(2)
Summary
Santa Clarita adopts the state's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance for every project that files a landscape plan with an administrative or discretionary permit. Projects between 500 and 2,500 square feet that choose the prescriptive compliance path must plant climate-adapted species needing little or no summer water across most of the yard, cap turfgrass, and mulch every bed before the City signs off.
Prescriptive Compliance Option. (a) This section contains prescriptive requirements, which may be used as a compliance option for new construction projects with a landscape area between 500 and 2,500 square feet... (c) Landscape project requirements... (3) Plant material shall comply with all of the following: (A) For residential landscapes, install climate adapted plants that require occasional, little, or no summer water (average WUCOLS plant factor 0.3) for 75% of the landscape area excluding areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants, and areas using recycled water; (B) For non-residential landscapes, install climate adapted plants that require occasional, little, or no summer water (average WUCOLS plant factor 0.3) for 100% of the landscape area excluding areas permanently and solely dedicated to edible plants, and areas using recycled water; (C) Turfgrass shall comply with all of the following: 1. Turfgrass shall not exceed 25% of the landscape area in residential landscapes; 2. There shall be no turfgrass in non-residential landscapes.
Full Breakdown
030(B)(2) requires any project subject to MWELO plan review to submit landscape and irrigation plans that comply with 23 Cal. §§ 490 et seq. 3 or less, meaning occasional, little, or no summer water) across 75% of a residential yard or 100% of a non-residential site, not counting areas planted solely in edible crops or irrigated with recycled water. Turfgrass is capped at 25% of a residential landscape and barred entirely from non-residential sites, from slopes steeper than one foot of rise per four feet of run, and from parkways under 10 feet wide unless the parkway abuts a parking strip and is watered by subsurface drip.
The applicant must also work at least four cubic yards of compost per 1,000 square feet into the top six inches of soil, spread a three-inch mulch layer, and keep every plant identifiable by botanical or common name for the City's final inspection. 020(D)(2). A landscape that misses these thresholds cannot receive final sign-off, and the Director may require redesign before occupancy.
Violations & Fines
A landscape that skips the plant-factor, turf-cap, or mulch requirements will not receive a certificate of completion or final building sign-off; the Director can require the applicant to redesign and replant before occupancy. Beyond permit denial, installing or maintaining landscaping in violation of the adopted UDC standard is a code violation and a public nuisance under Municipal Code § 1.01.210, letting the City summarily abate it or sue for abatement costs and attorneys' fees under § 1.01.220.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this rule apply to replacing my existing lawn?
What counts as a 'climate-adapted' plant?
Can I still install a lawn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clarita
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clarita to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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