Native Landscaping in Mountain View, CA
Mountain View homeowners may qualify for rebates through Santa Clara Valley Water ($2/sq ft, up to $3,000) and BAWSCA's Lawn Be Gone program ($2 to 4/sq ft). Both programs cover the removal of high-water lawns and replacement with low-water or native landscaping.
Up to $3,000+ (Valley Water + BAWSCA may stack)
Available Rebate Programs in Mountain View
Landscape Conversion Rebate
Up to $3,000 ($2/sq ft)Rebate of $2 per square foot for converting approved high-water lawns and pools to low-water landscapes.
See full program details and applyLawn Be Gone Rebate
$2–4/sq ft$2–4 per square foot for removing lawn and replacing with low-water or native landscaping.
See full program details and applyRebate programs change regularly. Always confirm details directly with the program provider before applying. View all California programs.
Recommended Native Plants for Mountain View
These native plants are well-adapted to the San Francisco Bay Area ecoregion and have growth habits that work well in HOA-conscious front yard designs.
Coast Live Oak
Quercus agrifolia
Foundational native tree for the Bay Area. Provides year-round canopy with minimal water once established.
Ceanothus
Ceanothus spp.
Vibrant blue flowers in late winter and spring. Low water after the first year. Many compact cultivars for suburban lots.
Coffeeberry
Frangula californica
Tough, adaptable evergreen shrub. Glossy leaves and berries that feed birds. Works in sun or part shade.
Sticky Monkey Flower
Diplacus aurantiacus
Orange or yellow blooms from spring through fall. Exceptional drought tolerance after establishment.
California Fescue
Festuca californica
Ornamental bunchgrass for shaded areas. Blue-green foliage and graceful arching form. Low maintenance.
Yarrow
Achillea millefolium
Spreads into a low-growing mat with flat white flower clusters. Pollinator magnet. Very drought tolerant.
Blue Elderberry
Sambucus nigra ssp. caerulea
Large fast-growing native shrub. White flower clusters in spring followed by blue berries. Strong wildlife value.
Purple Needlegrass
Stipa pulchra
California state grass. Fine-textured bunchgrass for open sunny areas. Self-seeds and fills in over time.
Explore the full native plant library in the Pollinator Patch app, filtered by your specific ecoregion.
HOA Landscaping in Mountain View
Mountain View has HOA communities in the Shoreline West, Stierlin Estates, and Whisman Park areas. California Government Code Section 4735 (AB 1164) protects homeowners who install drought-tolerant landscaping from HOA penalties.
HOA-Conscious Design Tips
- Start with clean edges and defined bed shapes. Structure signals care more than plant choice.
- Place shorter plants near the street and taller ones near the house for a tidy layered look.
- Use mulch between plants to signal intentional planting and reduce bare-soil concerns.
- Repeat 2–3 plant species for a cohesive, planned appearance rather than a random mix.
Local Tips for Mountain View
- Verify your water provider before applying. Mountain View is served by both California Water Service and Mountain View Shoreline District. The applicable rebate program depends on which serves your address.
- Valley Water's rebate funding runs through June 30, 2026. Apply early.
- Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve near Cupertino has native plant trails that give a good sense of what thrives in the local microclimate.
- Mountain View's bay-adjacent neighborhoods get summer fog that limits afternoon heat. Inland areas near Highway 85 are hotter and drier.
Plan Your Mountain View Native Yard
Pollinator Patch helps you pick the right native plants for Mountain View's San Francisco Bay Area ecoregion, design an HOA-conscious layout, and generate documentation for rebate applications.
