Landscape permitting in Orange County

Planting, drip irrigation, low-voltage lighting, and basic flat hardscape typically don't require a building permit. Permits are usually required for: retaining walls over 4 feet, structural shade (pergolas, patio covers with footings), outdoor kitchens with gas and electric, fire features, pool and spa, and any work in a flood, fire, or coastal overlay zone. Your local jurisdiction has the final say.

MWELO (the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance) is California's water-efficiency code for new and renovated landscapes. New or renovated landscape areas over a defined square-footage threshold trigger a MWELO plan-check submittal to your local water district. Every plan we issue at that scale includes the MWELO worksheet, hydrozone plan, and irrigation schedule built in.

All of them — through the local water district. We've submitted into Irvine Ranch Water District, Moulton Niguel Water District, Mesa Water District, Yorba Linda Water District, the City of Anaheim, and most OC city plan-check counters. Each has slight format preferences we already know.

MWELO plan-check is typically 2–4 weeks per round in OC water districts. Building department review for structural items varies more — small jurisdictions can turn around in 2–3 weeks; larger ones run 4–8 weeks per round. We respond to plan-check corrections directly so the project doesn't sit waiting for a designer.

Most residential landscape work in California doesn't require a stamp. When it does (structural shade over a certain size, retaining over 4 feet, fire feature gas line, etc.), we coordinate with a licensed engineer to provide the stamped sheet.

Coastal-zone projects can trigger Coastal Commission review or local coastal-zone approval, depending on the lot. We flag this at Discovery and design to local coastal requirements from the first concept.