How to Get HOA Approval for Native Garden Installation [2025]

Want to get HOA approval for native garden installation? If you’re not sure where to start, you’re not alone.

California homeowners are leading a quiet revolution — replacing thirsty lawns with native, water-wise gardens. But if you live in a neighborhood with a Homeowners Association (HOA), you may be wondering: Can I even do this legally? And if so, how do I get it approved?

The good news: Yes, you can — and California law is on your side. In this post, we'll walk you through how to navigate the HOA approval process for installing a native garden that saves water, supports pollinators, and still fits within your community's guidelines.

Quick Checklist: How to Get HOA Approval for a Native Garden

1. Know your rights under AB 1572

2. Review your HOA’s current landscaping guidelines

3. Gather sample designs and plant lists

4. Emphasize compliance with drought-tolerant landscaping standards

5. Submit a clear, professional landscape proposal

6. Request written feedback and be willing to revise

7. Get support from neighbors (if needed)

8. Follow up and document the approval process

What is AB 1572, and How Does it Affect My HOA?

AB 1572 is a 2023 California law that prohibits HOAs from banning drought-tolerant landscaping — including native plants and xeriscaping. It amended California Civil Code 4735, which specifically protects your right to install water-efficient landscaping.

Here’s what AB1572 means for you (in terms of getting approval from your HOA for native landscaping):

• HOAs can no longer require turfgrass or prohibit low-water landscaping.

• Homeowners can install climate-appropriate and specifically, drought-tolerant landscaping (including native plant gardens) even if their HOA hasn’t updated its rules yet.

• HOAs must convert their own non-functional turf by 2029 — so your native front yard is actually ahead of the curve.

Legal reference: CA Legislative Information - AB 1572 amending California Civil Code 4735

Image of AB1572 explained by UCANR

Can My HOA Still Deny a Native Garden in California?

Your HOA cannot deny a native garden in California if your design follows water-efficient landscaping principles.

However, HOAs can require:

• pre-approval of designs

• neatness and maintenance standards

• designs that are consistent with community aesthetics

Tips for getting HOA approval for a native garden installation 

• Frame your proposal in a way that meets both your HOA’s aesthetic concerns and your own goals for water savings.

• Use the language your HOA uses: talk about "low-maintenance design," "drought-tolerant species," and "attractive curb appeal."

• Partner with a California native garden landscape designer such as Water Efficient Gardens to create a design that appeals to your HOA board

How Do I Create a Native Garden that My HOA Will Approve?

1. Review Your HOA's Landscaping Rules

Start by requesting or downloading your HOA’s current CC&Rs (Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions).

• Look for sections on front yard landscaping, water use, and design review processes.

• Highlight anything that mentions turf, mulch, or approved plant types.

2. Choose Plants that Are Both Native and Aesthetic

Not all native plants look wild — many have tidy forms and bloom beautifully.

• Focus on California natives like ceanothus, yarrow, manzanita, and California fuchsia.

• Use drip irrigation and mulch basins to show you're serious about water-efficiency.

Tip: Use design templates and pre-approved species lists from CNPS or your local water district.

3. Submit a Clean, Professional Proposal

Your HOA will respond better to a well-documented plan:

• Include a landscape drawing (can be simple)

• Provide a plant list with Latin and common names

• Describe irrigation method, mulch, and maintenance plan

Water Efficient Gardens can create a 3D professional design, plant list and overall garden plan for you to submit to your HOA, optimized to help you get approved.

Schedule a Consultation Today!

Common HOA Drought Regulations and Pushback — and How to Respond

1. Outdated HOA Landscaping Guidelines

Some HOAs haven’t updated their landscaping rules to reflect AB 1572. That means they may still list turfgrass as mandatory or prohibit low-water designs.

Solution: How to Move Forward When HOA Rules Are Outdated

• Reference AB 1572 directly in your proposal

• Include a brief summary or link to the law

• Note that state law overrides HOA rules when it comes to drought-tolerant landscaping

2. Subjective Aesthetic Standards

Terms like "neat," "orderly," and "community-consistent" can block your design if it looks too unconventional.

Solution: Make Your Native Garden Look "HOA-Friendly"

• Include photos of mature plants in bloom

• Add clean edges, defined paths, and symmetry in your layout

• Group plants by height and color for a polished look

One of Water Efficient Gardens’ finished client projects

3. Long or Unclear Approval Timelines

Some HOAs delay feedback or avoid written approvals, creating unnecessary friction.

Some HOAs delay feedback or avoid written approvals, creating unnecessary friction.

Solution: Keep the Process Moving

• Submit your plan via email or certified mail

• Request a written decision within 45 days as required by Civil Code §4765

• Follow up with polite reminders and document responses

4. Lack of Familiarity with Native Plants

Boards may not know what native plants are or assume they look untamed.

Solution: Educate and Inform

• Include Latin and common names

• Provide resources from CNPS or local water agencies

• Clarify how native gardens support pollinators and biodiversity

5. Irrigation Misunderstandings

Some HOAs worry that native gardens will die without sprinklers.

Solution: Show You Have a Water Plan

• Detail your drip irrigation system

• Explain your establishment period watering schedule

• Mention mulch and smart controllers to show long-term health

6. Restrictions on Contractors

Some HOAs require you to use their landscapers — who may not understand native plant design.

Solution: Use a Qualified Native Garden Designer

• Choose a professional with California native plant experience

• Highlight their license and portfolio

• Offer to meet with the HOA board or landscape committee

7. Neighbor Pushback

Even if your garden plan is legal, neighbors may voice opposition or sway the board.

Solution: Build Support from the Start

• Talk to neighbors ahead of submission

• Start small with a section of the yard

• Mention that your garden will be maintained and compliant with aesthetics

• Speak about the benefits of your native garden:

• Attracts beautiful butterflies, hummingbirds

• Supports pollinators which are good for everyone’s flowers

• Cuts down on noise and pollution (because it doesn’t require mowing, pesticides, gas-powered equipment, etc.)

Native Landscaping vs. Traditional Lawns: Comparison Table

By the Numbers: Native Gardens vs. Lawns in California

• The average lawn uses over 40 gallons per square foot per year

• A native garden with drip irrigations can save 30,000+ gallons/year for a typical front yard (EPA WaterSense)

• Traditional lawns support fewer than 5 insect species, while native gardens with local trees/shrubs can support more than 500 species

• Gas-powered lawn equipment contributes to 5% of urban air pollution (EPA estimate)

Why Native Gardens Matter — Beyond Just Curb Appeal

Traditional lawns may look neat — but they offer almost no support for pollinators or wildlife. In fact:

• The western monarch butterfly population has declined over 95% since the 1980s (Xerces Society, 2023)

• North America has lost nearly 3 billion birds since 1970 — much of it due to habitat loss (Cornell Lab, 2019)

• Lawns treated with pesticides and fertilizers are virtual deserts for beneficial insects and birds

Native gardens, on the other hand, bring life back to your yard. Even small patches of native plants can:

• Provide milkweed and nectar for monarchs

• Support hundreds of caterpillar and insect species

• Offer food and shelter for nesting birds

Your front yard can be part of the solution — and still meet HOA standards for beauty and order.

Real Example: A Pollinator Garden that Fulfilled a Dream

When one California homeowner dreamed of a front yard full of native flowers and buzzing life, Water Efficient Gardens helped turn that vision into reality. What was once a thirsty lawn became a vibrant pollinator garden — rich with California natives like milkweed, sage, and yarrow.

The transformation supported bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, while also meeting the homeowner’s goals for low water use and HOA-friendly design. Most importantly, it delivered something deeply personal: a garden that brought joy, beauty, and ecological purpose to daily life.

Before native garden installation

After native garden installation (designed by Water Efficient Gardens)

Why Native Gardens Make Sense — Whether You're a Homeowner or an HOA Board

Whether you're a California homeowner or part of an HOA board, native gardens offer a win-win: they save water, cut costs, restore local biodiversity, and enhance curb appeal with thoughtfully designed, low-maintenance beauty.

See how Water Efficient Gardens designs native landscapes for HOAs that meet both aesthetic and environmental goals. 

An HOA common area lawn converted to a native garden by Water Efficient Gardens

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my HOA require me to keep some grass?

Generally, your HOA cannot require you to keep some grass in your yard — especially if the grass in question is considered non-functional turf (decorative lawn with no recreational or community use). 

Under AB 1572 and California Civil Code §4735, HOAs cannot require homeowners to maintain non-functional turf or prevent them from replacing it with drought-tolerant or native landscaping.**

What qualifies as 'non-functional turf' in my HOA?

Grass that is not used for recreation or community function — such as decorative lawns or grass strips in front yards – qualifies as ‘non-functional turf’. These areas are the focus of AB 1572’s water-saving regulations.

Does AB 1572 override old HOA landscaping rules?

Yes, AB 1572 overrides old HOA landscaping rules. Even if your HOA’s guidelines haven’t been updated, state law takes precedence. AB 1572 amended Civil Code §4735 to ensure that outdated HOA rules cannot block water-efficient or native landscaping. You still need to submit a proposal, but HOAs cannot legally deny your project solely because it removes turf or uses native plants.

Are there rebates available for replacing my lawn?

Yes, many California water agencies offer turf replacement rebate programs that can cover both design and installation. Here are a few standout examples:

• MWDOC: $1000 design rebate + $3/SF turf replacement rebate (up to $5,000 for residential, $50,000 for commercial).

• Valley Water: $200 design rebate + $2/SF rebate (up to $3,000 residential, $100,000 commercial).

• LiveH2OLB: $0.50/SF design reimbursement + $3/SF rebate (up to 5,000 SF residential, 50,000 SF commercial).

• EBMUD: $200 design assistance + $1–$2/SF rebate (up to $2,000 for small multi-family, $15,000 for large properties, plus $5,000 bonus for non-functional turf conversions).

There are numerous rebates you can explore from turf rebates to various lawn-to-garden rebates. Visit our page on California landscape rebates to learn more. 

Do I need HOA approval to remove my lawn?

Yes, in most cases you need HOA approval to remove your lawn — but they cannot deny you just for removing grass. You still need to submit a design for review, but your right to replace turf with a drought-tolerant or native garden is protected.