Landscaping Rules in Burbank, CA: What Residents Actually Need to Know

If you live in Burbank or are thinking about moving there, landscaping rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Burbank has 8 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of landscaping rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in California. No state or local permit required for residential rain barrels. Burbank Water and Power may offer rebates for rain barrel installation.

Key details: Status: Legal statewide. Permit: Not required for residential barrels. Incentives: BWP may offer rebates. State Law: CA Rainwater Capture Act of 2012.

No penalties for standard residential collection. Large cistern installations without building permit: standard building code violation $100 to $500.

Burbank is more permissive than most cities when it comes to rainwater harvesting. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Trimming

Burbank requires a written city permit to trim, prune, or otherwise maintain any tree in the public right-of-way or parkway, and unauthorized pruning of a public tree is unlawful (BMC 7-4-104; 7-4-113).

Key details: Code Section: BMC 7-4-104 (Maintenance of Street Trees). Permit: Written tree maintenance permit required. Intersection Clearance: Branches >= 14 ft above curb within 40 ft of intersection. Penalty: Misdemeanor (BMC 1-1-105) + tree value reimbursement.

A violation of BMC 7-4-104 is a misdemeanor under BMC 1-1-105 and may result in permit revocation; destroying or injuring a public tree under 7-4-113 also requires reimbursement of the tree's appraised value (Trunk Formula) per BMC 7-4-105.

This is one of the stricter rules in Burbank's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Water Restrictions

Burbank's Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (BMC 8-2-301 et seq.) limits outdoor irrigation by day, hour, and duration, and the city is currently in Stage III. Year-round Stage I rules also ban runoff onto paved surfaces and hosing down hard surfaces.

Key details: Code Section: BMC 8-2-304 (Sustainable Water Use Stages). Current Stage: Stage III. Watering Days (Apr-Oct): Tuesdays and Saturdays only. Time Limit: 15 minutes per irrigation station. Prohibited Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m..

Enforced by administrative citation under BMC 1-1-108.1 after one courtesy notice; Burbank Water and Power publishes fines of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for each violation thereafter.

Compared to other cities, Burbank takes a harder line on water restrictions. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Grass Height Limits

Burbank caps parkway shrubs/ground cover at 8 inches above the curb and treats dry grass and overgrown vegetation as an abatable public nuisance, but the code does not fix a numeric lawn-height limit for private yards (BMC 7-4-110(B); 4-2-207).

Key details: Code Section: BMC 7-4-110 (Parkway/Intersection Plants). Parkway Limit: 8 inches above curb. Private Lawn Limit: No fixed numeric height; overgrown/dead vegetation prohibited. Enforcement Contact: Code Enforcement (818) 238-5225 / Public Works (818) 238-3915.

Parkway plantings exceeding 8 inches near intersections are 'deemed dangerous to public travel'; the city notifies the owner and, if uncorrected, abates the condition and assesses the cost (BMC 7-4-110(C)). Overgrown/dry vegetation is abated through the weed-nuisance process (BMC 4-2-209) with costs becoming a lien.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing any public (street/parkway) tree in Burbank requires a public tree removal permit, payment of the tree's appraised value, and replacement; the Parks Director also maintains a restricted list of landmark and outstanding trees (BMC 7-4-111; 7-4-108).

Key details: Code Section: BMC 7-4-111 (Removal for Construction) / 7-4-108 (Restricted Trees). Permit: Public tree removal permit required for any public tree. Replacement: Required; pay appraised value via ISA Trunk Formula. Protected Trees: Landmark, dedicated, and outstanding trees on restricted list.

Destroying or removing a public tree without a permit triggers reimbursement of the appraised tree value under BMC 7-4-105/7-4-111 and misdemeanor liability; state law (Penal Code 384a, Civil Code 3346) provides additional penalties and exemplary damages.

This is one of the stricter rules in Burbank's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Weed Ordinances

BMC 4-2-208 requires owners to keep their property free of weeds at all times, and BMC 4-2-207 declares fire-hazard dry grass, brush, and curbline overgrowth a public nuisance subject to a 5-day abatement notice (BMC 4-2-209).

Key details: Code Section: BMC 4-2-207 to 4-2-209 (Weed Abatement). Owner Duty: Maintain premises free of weeds at all times. Cure Period: 5 days after certified-mail notice. Penalty: City abatement; cost becomes a lien on the property.

After a 5-day certified-mail notice, the city may dispose of the weeds and assess the cost as a lien on the property (BMC 4-2-209). Burbank may also use the State weed-abatement contract procedure under BMC 4-2-201 to 4-2-206.

This is one of the stricter rules in Burbank's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is permitted as a water-efficient landscape option in Burbank. AB 1572 (2024) bans irrigating non-functional turf with potable water for commercial properties. MWELO standards support turf alternatives.

Key details: Residential: Permitted. Commercial Turf Ban: AB 1572 bans potable water on non-functional turf. State Support: MWELO encourages alternatives. Rebates: Turf replacement rebates may be available.

Generally no penalties for installation. Non-compliant drainage may require correction. HOA fines may be unenforceable where state law protects turf rights.

Burbank is more permissive than most cities when it comes to artificial turf. That said, there are still limits.

Native Plants

Burbank's Sustainable Water Use Ordinance bans irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians and encourages drought-tolerant landscaping; new and rehabilitated landscapes must also comply with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).

Key details: Code Section: BMC 8-2-304(A)(14) (median turf) + CCR Title 23 Sec. 490-495 (MWELO). Median Turf: Irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians prohibited. New Landscapes: Must meet California MWELO water-efficiency standards. Existing Lawns: Conversion encouraged via rebates, not mandated.

Violations of the Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (including median-turf irrigation) are enforced by administrative citation under BMC 1-1-108.1; MWELO compliance is verified at building/landscape permit review for covered projects.

The Bottom Line

Burbank is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 8 rules covered here, 4 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Burbank, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

This guide is based on Burbank's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.