Landscaping Rules in Mountain View, CA

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

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is allowed in Mountain View residential yards subject to setbacks, drainage, and design standards. Some front-yard coverage and aesthetic limits may apply.

Key details: Residential use: Allowed. Drainage: Required, no runoff. Front-yard: Coverage limits apply. HOA bans: Preempted by Civ Code 4735. Tree zones: Arborist review.

Water Restrictions

Mountain View enforces permanent water waste rules and follows state mandates. Outdoor watering is limited and runoff, hosing down pavement, and leaks are prohibited.

Key details: Runoff: Prohibited. Shutoff nozzle: Required. Post-rain rule: No irrigation 48 hours. Non-functional turf: Banned at CII sites. Drought day limits: Possible.

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

Native Plants

Mountain View encourages California native and low-water plants through its Bay-Friendly landscaping policies and water-efficient landscape ordinance for new projects.

Key details: Policy: MWELO and Bay-Friendly. Applies to: New landscapes over 500 sq ft. Turf cap: About 25 percent. Natives: Encouraged. Invasives: Discouraged.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Cutting down, destroying, removing or relocating a heritage tree anywhere in Mountain View, public or private property, takes a heritage tree removal permit. City Code Sec. 32.27(a) also extends the permit requirement to construction within a heritage tree's drip line, and Sec. 32.27(b) lists six narrow exemptions, mostly emergencies and utility safety work.

Key details: Permit required for: Cutting, removing or relocating a heritage tree. Exemptions: 6 narrow cases (emergency, utility, dead tree). Permit validity: 2 years from issuance. Appeal deadline: 10 calendar days. Reapplication bar after denial: 2 years.

Removing a heritage tree without a permit does not end the requirement, it triggers a post-removal permit under Sec. 32.32, and if the cut stump still meets the circumference threshold the tree is presumed to have been heritage-size. Unpermitted removal is also a misdemeanor under Sec. 32.38, and the responsible party owes restitution: a replacement tree at least a twenty-four inch (24") box, or a fee based on the International Society of Arboriculture's valuation standards under Sec. 32.39.

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

Tree Trimming

Trimming, pruning or cutting back any street tree or shrub in Mountain View takes the prior written permission of the director of parks and recreation. City Code Sec. 32.6 bars cutting, trimming, pruning, spraying, removing or injuring a street tree without a permit, caps that permit at thirty (30) days, and lets the director require a replacement tree conforming to the master street tree plan as a condition of approval.

Key details: Permit required for: Cutting, trimming, pruning any street tree. Permit term: Expires after 30 days. Hazard trimming authority: Director may act without owner request. Private-property notice: Registered/certified mail before trimming. Owner objection window: 10 days to file, 3 to appeal.

Interfering with the director of parks and recreation or with crews carrying out trimming, pruning or removal work is unlawful under Sec. 32.7. Damaging or mutilating a street tree, or cutting or trimming it, without the required permit violates Sec. 32.20, which also bars picking flowers or seeds from a street tree or disturbing grass areas and flower beds in public streets without permission.

Weed Ordinances

Mountain View property owners must control weeds and rank growth that create fire hazards, blight, or vermin habitat. Santa Clara County Fire handles abatement.

Key details: Inspection season: Spring. Notice to abate: Late spring. Deadline: Late May or June. Non-compliance: Contractor mow plus lien. Reporting: MV Code Enforcement.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Mountain View gives residents more flexibility on weed ordinances.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting in rain barrels and small cisterns is legal and encouraged in Mountain View. Larger systems and any potable use require permits.

Key details: State law: AB 1750 allows capture. No permit: Barrels for outdoor use. Permit: Pumped or plumbed systems. Cross-connection: Prohibited. Rebates: Via Valley Water.

Composting

Mountain View's mandatory organics ordinance does not force every household onto the city's green cart. Section 16.102(c) of the City Code lets a single-family generator manage its own organic waste on-site or through a community composting site instead of subscribing to hauled collection. Community composting itself is capped at 100 cubic yards and 750 square feet of feedstock and compost on site at any one time under Section 16.101(h).

Key details: Governing sections: City Code Sec. 16.101(h), 16.102(c). Legal basis: Implements state SB 1383 (Ord. No. 11.21). On-site composting: Allowed instead of city collection. Community composting size cap: 100 cubic yards / 750 sq ft. Enforcement: City enforcement official under Sec. 16.109.

There's no separate composting violation as long as a resident's on-site or community composting stays within the 100-cubic-yard, 750-square-foot cap in Section 16.101(h); exceeding that threshold reclassifies the operation as a regulated solid waste facility. Residents who don't compost and also skip the city's mandatory organic waste collection under Section 16.102(a)-(b) face administrative citations, fines, or civil penalties under Section 16.109, starting with an educational notice and escalating after January 1, 2024.

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

The Bottom Line

Mountain View'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 Mountain View is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Mountain View can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.