Temecula, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Chapter applies to
- New landscapes 500+ sq ft
- Rehabilitated landscape threshold
- 2,500+ sq ft
- CC&Rs cannot block
- Turf-to-low-water-use plant swaps
- Natural/open space areas
- No landscaping required
- Stated purpose
- Protect habitat via native, non-invasive plants
- Exempt
- Ecological restoration without irrigation
Summary
Temecula's Water Efficient Landscape Design ordinance protects the right to keep common areas and open space in a natural, unlandscaped state and bars any covenant from blocking a homeowner's swap of turf for low water use or native plants. Chapter 17.32 also lists native plant selection as a stated purpose of the city's landscape standards.
5. In the event covenants, conditions and restrictions are required by the city for any permit subject to this chapter, a condition shall be incorporated into any project approval prohibiting the use of water intensive landscaping and requiring the use of low water use landscaping... This chapter shall not be construed as requiring landscaping on common areas or open space that is intended to remain natural. Covenants, conditions, and restrictions shall not prohibit the replacement of turf with less water intensive plant species. ... F. Protect existing habitat and creating new habitat by choosing local native plants, climate adapted non-invasive plants and avoiding invasive plants. Utilizing integrated pest management with least toxic methods as the first course of action.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4862229; v11 updated 2026-04-14).
Full Breakdown
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. ' 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. 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. 030(B)(2).
Violations & Fines
This section is permissive, not a prohibition, so there is no penalty for choosing native or drought-tolerant plants. A CC&R provision or HOA rule that tries to force water-intensive turf over a natural or native landscape, or that blocks turf replacement, conflicts with Section 17.32.030(A)(5) and is unenforceable to that extent; a homeowner can raise the ordinance directly against the association.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my HOA force me to keep a grass lawn instead of native plants?
Does Temecula require common open space to be landscaped?
What size project triggers Temecula's landscape ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Temecula
California rules heatmap·Compare Temecula to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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