Santa Maria, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Plant material standard
- water-conserving, site-appropriate species
- Native species policy
- protection/preservation encouraged
- Turf restriction
- limited to functional/visible areas only
- Governing chapter
- SMMC Chapter 12-44, Landscape Standards
- Drought-plant resource
- available from Community Development Dept.
- Appeal path
- Planning Commission, then City Council
Summary
Santa Maria's landscape design standards require water-conserving plant material sited for each property's actual conditions, and specifically direct that protection and preservation of native species and natural areas be encouraged, under Municipal Code Section 12-44.04(a) and (g).
Plant materials shall be appropriate for the slope, soils, proposed use, and exposure (sun/shade) of the specific site. Plant materials including turf shall be water conserving species or varieties capable of surviving on minimal irrigation once established. ... Protection and preservation of native species and natural areas shall be encouraged.
Full Breakdown
04(a) requires that plant materials, including turf, be appropriate for the slope, soils, use and sun/shade exposure of the specific site, and be water-conserving species or varieties able to survive on minimal irrigation once established. Subsection (g) goes further, stating directly that protection and preservation of native species and natural areas shall be encouraged. The chapter backs this with related limits: subsection (c) restricts mowed turf to functional recreation areas, retardation basins, pedestrian accessways, parkways, and visible front-yard or street-adjacent planters rather than small ornamental beds, and subsection (v) notes that information on drought-tolerant plants, irrigation efficiency and water conservation is available from the Community Development Department to help design water-efficient, native-leaning landscapes.
01, implementing the state's Water Conservation in Landscaping Act and the 2015 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, and the city's own standards prevail over the state model wherever they conflict. 03(d).
Violations & Fines
Installing landscaping with plant material that isn't appropriate for site conditions or isn't water-conserving as required by Section 12-44.04(a) is a Title 12 zoning violation. It's enforceable as a public nuisance under Section 12-42.03, with the City Attorney authorized to prosecute abatement, and as a misdemeanor under Section 12-42.04, punishable under Chapter 1-6 of the code, in addition to any conditions the city attaches through the permit process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Santa Maria require native plants in landscaping?
Can I install a full lawn anywhere on my property?
Where can I get help choosing drought-tolerant or native plants?
What law is Santa Maria's native-plant-friendly landscape code based on?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Maria
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Maria to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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