Upland, CA Landscaping Rules: Native Plants (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Zoning Ordinance Ch. 17.12, Landscaping
- Key native-plant clause
- § 17.12.050(A)(1)
- Size threshold for full standards
- 2,500 sq ft new landscape
- Homeowner-installed threshold
- 5,000 sq ft residential
- Reviewing office
- Development Services Director
- Turf policy
- Minimized, not banned
Summary
Upland's landscape ordinance encourages native species and cuts back turf rather than banning either. Design plans for regulated projects must protect existing native plants and natural areas and hold turf to what the site's water budget allows.
In addition to the design standards contained in Section 17.12.060, the following criteria should be incorporated into the landscape design: 1. Protection and preservation of existing native species and natural areas shall be encouraged; 2. The planting of lower water using trees, shrubs, and groundcover is encouraged; 3. The use of turf shall be minimized; turf areas shall be used wisely in response to functional needs and shall not exceed the maximum annual applied water allowance. Where turf is installed, the use of warm season turf is strongly encouraged.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
050 (Water Efficient Design Criteria) is where native and natural landscaping gets its explicit protection: plans are directed to preserve "existing native species and natural areas," plant more low-water trees, shrubs and groundcover, and hold turf coverage to what the project's maximum annual applied water allowance permits, with warm-season turf "strongly encouraged" wherever grass is installed. 020 (generally new landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more, or homeowner-installed residential projects of 5,000 square feet or more): plants must be grouped into hydrozones by water need, selected for the site's actual climate and soil, and large stretches of bare hardscape like decomposed granite or gravel are barred.
070 adds that invasive species must be avoided near parks, buffers, greenbelts, water bodies and open space. 080. 44. There is no outright ban on turf or mandate to plant only natives, Upland regulates through the water budget and design-criteria framework rather than a prescriptive native-plant list.
Violations & Fines
Landscape and irrigation plans that don't meet Chapter 17.12's design standards are rejected at plan review and construction permits will not issue until they're corrected. Once installed, noncompliant irrigation or plant material is enforced under Section 17.12.110 (Monitoring and Enforcement) and can trigger the code's general penalty and civil-fine provisions in Municipal Code Chapter 1.16, including civil fines up to $1,000 for designated violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I landscape my Upland yard with native, drought-tolerant plants instead of turf?
Does Upland require a permit to remove turf and replace it with native plants?
Is there a limit on how much turf I can install in Upland?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
California rules heatmap·Compare Upland to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Native Plants in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle native plants.