Temecula, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)

Temecula sits in Sunset Climate Zone 18-19 with hot, dry summers ideal for California native and Mediterranean plants. The city implements the state's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, 23 CCR §490 et seq.) for all new and rehabilitated landscapes: 500 sq ft for permitted residential, 2,500 sq ft for non-permitted homeowner-installed projects, and 500 sq ft for commercial. MWELO requires a landscape documentation package, hydrozone groupings, dedicated irrigation meters for large projects, and a Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) calculation that effectively caps turf to a small fraction of the landscaped area. California Civil Code §4735 prohibits HOAs from banning low-water-use plants, native species, artificial turf, or drought-tolerant landscaping during declared droughts; Civil Code §4735(c) prevents HOAs from fining homeowners for letting lawns go dormant during state-declared droughts. AB 1572 (effective 2027 for HOA common areas) bans potable irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional sites. Excellent natives for Temecula include Cleveland sage, manzanita, toyon, ceanothus, California fuchsia, deergrass, and coast live oak. The Western Municipal Water District and RCWD offer free landscape design templates and turf-removal rebates. Plants must still comply with sight-distance rules at intersections and fire-resistant species lists in WUI areas.