Temecula, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Chapter 17.32, the Water Efficient Landscape Design ordinance, applies to new landscape projects of 500 square feet or more and rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more. Section 17.32.030(A)(5) addresses common area and open space landscaping tied to project approvals: where the city requires covenants, conditions and restrictions (CC&Rs) as a condition of a permit, those CC&Rs must prohibit water-intensive landscaping and require low water use planting, but the section is explicit that the chapter 'shall not be construed as requiring landscaping on common areas or open space that is intended to remain natural,' and that CC&Rs 'shall not prohibit the replacement of turf with less water intensive plant species.' In effect, a homeowners association or project CC&R cannot force irrigation or ornamental planting onto land meant to stay in a natural, native condition, and it cannot stop an individual owner from pulling out lawn in favor of drought-tolerant or native plants.

Section 17.32.010(F) states one purpose of the chapter is to 'protect existing habitat and creating new habitat by choosing local native plants, climate adapted non-invasive plants and avoiding invasive plants,' paired with integrated pest management using the least toxic methods first. Planting plans reviewed under the ordinance draw from an approved plant list in Section 17.32.200 or an applicable specific plan plant list, and ecological restoration projects that need no permanent irrigation system are exempt from the chapter entirely under Section 17.32.030(B)(2).