Tracy, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Tracy WELO, Municipal Code ch. 11.28
- Applies to
- New landscapes 500+ sq ft, rehabs 2,500+ sq ft
- Native plants
- Encouraged, not mandatory
- Turf ban
- Barred from medians and steep slopes
- Enforcement
- Administrative citation, Council-set fines
Summary
Tracy's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance lets any plant be used on a covered project as long as the design does not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance, and it names protecting native species and choosing local native plants as the lead method for meeting that budget under Municipal Code section 11.28.390(a)(1)(A).
(A)Any plant may be selected for the landscape, providing the Estimated Total Water Use in the landscape area does not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following:(i)protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation;(ii)selection of water-conserving plant, tree and turf species, especially local native plants;(iii)selection of plants based on local climate suitability, disease and pest resistance;(iv)selection of trees based on applicable local tree ordinances or tree shading guidelines, and size at maturity as appropriate for the planting area; and(v)selection of plants from local and regional landscape program plant lists.(vi)selection of plants from local Fuel Modification Plan Guidelines.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 69).
Full Breakdown
310(a). 390(a)(1)(A), a project applicant may plant whatever species they want as long as the Estimated Total Water Use for the site stays under the Maximum Applied Water Allowance calculated for the project. To hit that number, the ordinance lists protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation as the first method, followed by selecting water-conserving plant, tree and turf species, "especially local native plants," chosen for local climate suitability, disease and pest resistance. Each hydrozone on the plan must group plants of similar water need, and turf is barred outright from street medians and from slopes over 25 percent that drain onto hardscape. 0, cannot go in street medians at all. 340. 390(a)(1)(H).
Violations & Fines
Because native plant selection sits inside the broader landscape documentation package, a plan that skips the required water-efficiency methods or turf restrictions can be rejected at plan check before construction starts. Once installed, failing to comply with the ordinance, including the design and Certificate of Completion requirements, can draw an administrative citation under section 1.28.040, with fines set by City Council resolution under section 11.28.350.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tracy require me to plant native species?
What size project has to follow Tracy's landscape water rules?
Can my homeowners association ban native, low-water landscaping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Tracy
California rules heatmap·Compare Tracy to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Native Plants in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle native plants.