Lodi's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Lodi, California, there are 6 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

Trimming a tree standing in a Lodi public right-of-way requires a permit under Municipal Code § 12.04.360(C), issued only for pruning that preserves the tree's shapeliness; cutting or trimming a right-of-way tree without that permit is also a standalone violation of § 12.04.060(A)(4).

Key details: Trim permit standard: preserves tree shapeliness. Governing section: § 12.04.360(C). Also enforced via: § 12.04.060(A)(4). Unpermitted trim fine: $1,250-$10,000. Permit issued by: Public Works Director.

Trimming a right-of-way tree without the § 12.04.360(C) permit violates § 12.04.060(A)(4) and is punishable as a misdemeanor under § 12.04.430(A), plus the chapter's administrative civil penalty of $1,250 for a first unpermitted violation, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for a third or later violation, with each day treated as a separate offense.

Artificial Turf

Lodi does not prohibit artificial turf on private residential property. State law (Government Code §53087.7 and Civil Code §4735) bars cities and HOAs from banning synthetic grass installed for water conservation. New non-functional turf on commercial/public sites must be replaced or removed under AB 1572 starting in 2027-2029.

Key details: Residential ban: Prohibited by state law (Gov Code §53087.7). HOA ban: Prohibited by Civil Code §4735. Commercial NFT deadline: January 1, 2028 (AB 1572). HOA common-area NFT deadline: January 1, 2029 (AB 1572). AB 1572 penalty: Up to $1,000 per day.

There is no Lodi fine for installing artificial turf at a home. For commercial/HOA sites that continue to irrigate non-functional turf with potable water after the AB 1572 phase-in dates, the State Water Resources Control Board and local water suppliers can assess civil penalties up to $1,000 per day per violation under Water Code §1846.

Weed Ordinances

Lodi treats overgrown weeds, dead vegetation, and rank growth on private property as a public nuisance under Title 8 of the Municipal Code. Enforcement is by the Community Improvement Division and follows the City's administrative-abatement process.

Key details: Authority: LMC Title 8 - Health and Safety. Enforcing body: Community Improvement Division. Phone: (209) 333-6823. Final remedy: City abatement, lien on property.

First contact is generally a Courtesy Notice. If the owner does not comply, the City issues a formal Notice of Violation and may issue administrative citations under Lodi's administrative-citation ordinance. Continued noncompliance can result in City abatement (the City hires a contractor to clear the lot) with all costs, plus an administrative fee, recorded as a special assessment lien against the property pursuant to Government Code procedures.

Rainwater Harvesting

Lodi has no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater harvesting. California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750) and Water Code section 10574 authorize property owners to collect rooftop rainwater for non-potable use without a state water-right permit, and the California Plumbing Code exempts most simple rain barrels from building-permit requirements.

Key details: Local ban: None. State authorization: Water Code §10574 (AB 1750, 2012). Permit-exempt size: Under 5,000 gallons (typical rain barrel). Allowed uses: Non-potable, non-spray landscape irrigation.

No local fine schedule applies - rainwater harvesting is legal. If a larger cistern or building-integrated system is installed without the required plumbing/building permit, the City can issue a stop-work order and double permit fees under standard Building Division enforcement.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Lodi gives residents more flexibility on rainwater harvesting.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing a tree from a Lodi street right-of-way needs a permit from the public works director under Municipal Code § 12.04.360(D), granted only when removal is necessary and adjacent owners agree, or the director independently finds it necessary; the stump must come out two feet below grade and the site restored.

Key details: Removal standard: necessity + neighbor concurrence. Stump removal depth: 2 feet below grade. Unpermitted removal fine: $1,250-$10,000. Permit issued by: Public Works Director. Site must be: restored to prior condition.

Removing a right-of-way tree without the § 12.04.360(D) permit is an unpermitted encroachment under § 12.04.060(A)(4), punishable as a misdemeanor under § 12.04.430(A) and subject to the chapter's administrative civil penalty: $1,250 for a first violation, $5,000 for a second, and $10,000 for a third or later violation, with each day of the violation counted separately.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. Lodi actively enforces its tree removal & heritage trees requirements.

Water Restrictions

Lodi limits landscape watering to three days a week by address parity, bans watering on Mondays citywide, and prohibits irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. year-round. Odd-numbered addresses water Wednesday, Friday and Sunday; even-numbered addresses water Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Public Works enforces the schedule through escalating surcharges and possible water shutoff for repeat violations.

Key details: Odd addresses: Water Wed, Fri, Sun only. Even addresses: Water Tue, Thu, Sat only. Monday: No watering allowed citywide. Banned hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.. 2nd offense in 12 months: Council-set surcharge on water bill.

Ordinary waste-of-water and watering-schedule violations are infractions (§ 13.08.280), but breaking emergency drought restrictions imposed under § 13.08.240(D) is a misdemeanor. Enforcement runs through billing: the city issues a correction notice, then adds a council-set surcharge to the water bill for a second offense within 12 months, larger surcharges for the third through fifth offense, a mandatory meter and flow-restrictor for a fifth offense on an unmetered property, and disconnection of water service for any further violation, plus a reconnection charge.

The Bottom Line

Lodi's landscaping rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Lodi is broadly strict or permissive.

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