Hayward's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Hayward, California, there are 8 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Tree Trimming

Hayward requires 14 feet of vertical clearance over streets and 8 feet over sidewalks. Hillside homes must clear branches 10 feet from chimneys.

Key details: Over street: 14 ft clearance. Over sidewalk: 8 ft clearance. From chimney: 10 ft (VHFHSZ). Ladder fuel: Remove to 6 ft. Permit: Not required, private.

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is allowed at Hayward single-family homes. California AB 1572 and Civil Code 4735 protect turf choices in HOAs.

Key details: Allowed: Yes, single-family. Permeable base: Required. HOA limits: Restricted by Civ Code 4735. Permit: Usually not required. AB 1572: Non-functional turf ban.

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

Weed Ordinances

Hayward inspects properties annually for overgrown weeds and abates non-compliant parcels at owner expense with a lien.

Key details: Notice month: March or April. Deadline: Early May. Admin fee: Approximately 45 percent. Lien: On property tax roll. Opt-out: Self-abate by deadline.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing, relocating, or severely pruning any Protected Tree in Hayward, native species over 4 inches in diameter, street trees, or large non-native trees, requires a city permit under Section 10-15.21. The Planning Director grants it only after making the findings in Section 10-15.22, and replacement trees or in-lieu fees are mandatory.

Key details: Permit required for: Removal, relocation, girdling, severe pruning. Protected size threshold: 4 in. DSH native, 8 in. non-native. Residential replacement: Two 24-in. box trees per tree. Commercial street tree replacement: One 36-in. box tree. Permit duration: 3 months, one 3-month extension.

Removing or pruning a Protected Tree without the Section 10-15.21 permit, or working outside an approved plan, is enforced under Section 10-15.29: an administrative citation carrying a fine of double the permit fee, plus mitigation the Director values from photos, prior plans, or Google Earth/Street View imagery if no part of the tree remains to appraise. Development projects can be ordered to stop work until the permit is obtained, and citations are appealable to a hearing officer under Sections 1-7.07 through 1-7.10, with judicial review under Section 1-7.13.

Composting

Hayward residents may compost their own yard trimmings at home without running that material through the city's trash franchise. Municipal Code Sec. 5-1.26 lists on-site composting of yard trimmings on a residential premises as one of the specific exceptions to the rule that only the city's authorized hauler may handle solid waste.

Key details: Exempt activity: On-site composting of yard trimmings, residential premises. Governing section: Hayward Municipal Code Sec. 5-1.26(h). Covers: Yard trimmings only, not food scraps. No permit needed: For a home compost pile or bin. Nuisance limit: Odor, pests, or fire hazard still enforceable.

On-site composting of yard trimmings itself is not restricted; the exemption exists precisely so residents are not exposed to a franchise-hauling violation for keeping material on their own property. What remains enforceable under Article 1 is composting that spills into a public nuisance: Sec. 5-1.00 identifies harboring rodents and insects and creating fire hazards as harms the article is meant to prevent, and a compost operation causing odor, pests, or fire risk can still draw code enforcement action and citation under the Code's general penalty section, Sec. 1-1.05.

The rules around composting in Hayward lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Native Plants

Hayward supports native and drought-tolerant landscaping. New projects must comply with the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

Key details: MWELO trigger: 500 sq ft or larger. Turf cap: Limited by MWELO. Rebate: Up to 2 dollars/sq ft. Good species: Ceanothus, toyon, oak. Irrigation: Smart controller required.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is encouraged. Rain barrels up to 5,000 gallons are permit-exempt under California Rainwater Capture Act.

Key details: No permit: Under 5,000 gal, outdoor use. Over 5,000 gal: Plumbing permit. Screen: 1/16 inch required. Rebates: EBMUD WaterSmart. Overflow: To pervious area.

Water Restrictions

Hayward customers are served by EBMUD or SFPUC. Both impose outdoor watering limits and enforce permanent waste prohibitions year-round.

Key details: Primary provider: EBMUD. No-water hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.. Shutoff nozzle: Required on hoses. Leak repair: Within 72 hours. AB 1572: Non-functional turf ban.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Hayward actively enforces its water restrictions requirements.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Hayward gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 2 of the 8 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

These rules come from Hayward's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.