Under a first-of-its-kind municipal ordinance, developers will be required to use plant species native to the region in future landscape plans for public and private projects in Encinitas. […]
Mayor Bruce Ehlers said codifying the ordinance places it on the same footing as other design requirements, including fire safety. He added that it does not add new steps to the process but formalizes how native plants are addressed in projects that already require a landscape plan.
“I’m a native plant nerd and I’m amazed at the number of residents in Encinitas that are into native plants,” Ehlers said. […]
“Native plants are not only beautiful, they are the foundation of all native wildlife,” Klopp said. “They sustain our native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators whom the city has previously committed to protecting through the Bee City USA program. They protect our lagoons by reducing runoff and eliminating the need for chemical fertilizers. And once established, they use a fraction of the water of conventional ornamental landscapes.”
City Council Ordinance No. 2026-07 unanimously approved the ordinance 5-0 with two recommended modifications:
Does anyone know what were those recommendations? I couldn’t easily find it, nor do i want to watch a 5h city council meeting
Besides, does anyone know any other city with similar initiatives?
Beautiful! I hope it works out as nicely as it sounds