Getting Back to Our Roots
May 2026
Getting Back to Our Roots
L.A. County’s planting something beautiful with an updated landscaping policy
Los Angeles County is practicing what it preaches when it comes to water conservation. We’re taking a more comprehensive approach to how we manage our landscapes – moving beyond water efficiency to consider how design, plant selection and maintenance can work together over time to help wean ourselves off costly and unreliable imported water. Roughly half of total urban water use in California communities goes to landscaping and outdoor irrigation, according to Public Policy Institute of California estimates. That’s a lot of water!
The Board of Supervisors has asked our team to help update the County’s existing water conservation policy into a more comprehensive approach to sustainable landscaping. Here, we take a deeper dive into the County’s new approach, which is expected to be delivered later this year.
What is the new policy?
The policy establishes clearer expectations for County facilities, particularly for new or fully renovated landscaped areas. It prioritizes improving irrigation efficiency through smart controllers and hydro-zoning — the practice of grouping plants with similar water needs together to conserve water — and eliminating non-functional turf. Non-functional turf refers to grass that is not used for recreation, gatherings, or other active community purposes, including turf in street rights-of-way and parking lots. We’re also expanding the use of California native plants. Specifically, at least 70% of the planted area in new landscaped areas must be composed of native plants, measured at mature size, with flexibility where site conditions warrant. Native plants can help conserve water, support biodiversity, and create landscapes better adapted to Southern California’s climate.
It also strengthens requirements around irrigation practices, limits water waste, and provides guidance on materials such as artificial turf, which is restricted with limited exceptions like sports fields. In addition, the policy includes language encouraging County departments to consider opportunities for collaboration with Local Tribal Governments and other Indigenous partners, reflecting an expanded view of long-term landscape stewardship.
What are the benefits?
The benefits are both immediate and long-term. More efficient landscapes reduce water use and operating costs. Native plants are more resilient and require less intensive maintenance. These landscapes help reduce heat, improve stormwater management, and create more functional and comfortable public spaces. By increasing the use of native plants and improving overall landscape performance, the policy also supports healthier ecosystems and contributes to biodiversity in a way that is integrated with broader sustainability goals.
This update builds on earlier water conservation efforts but reflects a broader understanding of what landscapes can contribute. It responds to ongoing drought conditions and direction from the Board of Supervisors to advance biodiversity while strengthening water conservation and sustainable landscape management practices across County facilities.
As outlined in the Board motion, the County was directed to incorporate practices such as increased use of native plants and more sustainable landscape management approaches. The updated policy advances that direction through a practical, implementable framework.
How does this policy tie into broader sustainability goals, especially around water?
This policy directly advances several goals from the County’s OurCounty Sustainability Plan, including:
- Goal 1: Resilient and healthy community environments where residents thrive in place
- Goal 5: Thriving ecosystems, habitats, and biodiversity
- Goal 6: Accessible parks, beaches, recreational waters, public lands, and public spaces that create opportunities for respite, recreation, ecological discovery, and cultural activities
- Goal 9: Sustainable production and consumption of resources
At its core, this policy is about using landscapes more intentionally. By reducing water demand, improving irrigation efficiency, and increasing the use of native plants, it supports more sustainable resource use while also improving how County spaces function and feel. Landscapes become cooler, more resilient, and better aligned with local conditions.
What makes this approach effective is that it delivers on multiple goals at once. A shift in planting and irrigation practices not only conserves water, but can also reduce heat, improve stormwater capture, and create healthier environments for both people and nature. In that sense, the policy reflects the broader direction of OurCounty — Integrating sustainability into everyday decisions in ways that are practical, visible, and lasting.
What are some examples of “smart” native plant installations?
“Smart” native plant installations are designed to match local conditions rather than rely on high water inputs. This can include grouping plants with similar water needs, using efficient irrigation systems such as drip irrigation, and incorporating features like bio-swales that allow landscapes to capture and absorb rainwater.
In practice, this means selecting plants that are well suited to Southern California’s climate and soils, and designing landscapes so they can thrive with minimal supplemental irrigation once established. The focus is less on any specific species and more on how the landscape functions as a whole.
Common native plants for Southern California landscapes include drought-tolerant staples like California poppy, buckwheat, ceanothus (California lilac), and toyon. These plants are favored for their low water needs and support for local pollinators. Popular choices also include sage, monkeyflower, and manzanita.
For those interested in learning more about native plant options, resources such as the Theodore Payne Foundation and the California Native Plant Society’s CalScape tool provide regionally appropriate plant lists and guidance for Southern California.
The emphasis is not just on using native plants, but on creating landscapes that are efficient, resilient, and sustainable over time. When done successfully, native plant landscapes can provide year-round beauty, habitat for wildlife, and opportunities for people to connect with the natural world.
Where and when might we see some of these new landscapes around our region?
The proposed policy is currently anticipated to be considered by the Board of Supervisors later this year. Should it be adopted, implementation will be gradual. The policy applies primarily to new projects and major renovations, so changes will occur as County facilities are updated over time.
Residents may begin to notice subtle shifts at County sites such as changes in plant palettes or irrigation systems; this may be more visible where landscapes are fully redesigned. The intent is to ensure that future investments reflect a more sustainable approach moving forward.
Who will be doing this work? Are there any green jobs benefits?
County departments will lead implementation, working with landscape architects, contractors, and maintenance staff. The policy emphasizes the importance of having the right expertise, including demonstrated experience with native plant landscapes and sustainable maintenance practices.
As these practices become more widely adopted, they also support workforce development. Demand for skills in sustainable landscaping, irrigation efficiency, and native plant management continues to grow, creating opportunities within the broader green economy.
And, finally, what can residents do in their own homes to support these broader sustainability goals?
Many of the same principles from this policy can be applied at home. Reducing non-functional turf, selecting plants suited to Southern California’s climate, and improving irrigation efficiency can all help lower water use and create more resilient landscapes.
These changes don’t need to happen all at once. Even small adjustments — such as replacing a portion of lawn or updating watering schedules — can make a meaningful difference. Over time, these individual actions add up, reinforcing a broader shift toward more sustainable landscaping across the region.