Rancho Cordova's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In Rancho Cordova, California, there are 7 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.

Weed Ordinances

Rancho Cordova enforces weed abatement under California Government Code Sections 39560 to 39588. Property owners must control weeds, dry grass, and noxious vegetation. Annual spring inspections identify nonconforming parcels and forced abatement liens recover the cost of city-contracted mowing.

Key details: State Authority: Gov Code 39560 to 39588. Noxious Weeds: Food and Ag Code 5004. Notice: 10 to 30 days. Lien: Recorded with tax roll. Inspection Season: Spring annually.

Forced abatement charges typically 400 to 1,500 dollars per parcel plus 25 percent administrative fee. Unabated liens attach to the property at the next tax bill.

Rancho Cordova is more permissive than most cities when it comes to weed ordinances. That said, there are still limits.

Tree Trimming

Rancho Cordova requires vertical clearance over streets and sidewalks, and street trees cannot be pruned without city approval. Private trees may be trimmed by the owner, but encroaching branches over public rights-of-way must be maintained to standard clearance heights.

Key details: Sidewalk Clearance: 8 feet. Street Clearance: 14 feet. Street Trees: City permit to prune. Utility Lines: SMUD per GO 95. Neighbor Rule: Civil Code 833.

Improper removal or severe topping of a street tree can result in restitution equal to the appraised value of the tree plus administrative penalties. Failure to maintain vertical clearance can prompt city abatement with cost recovery.

Native Plants

New development landscaping in Rancho Cordova must emphasize drought-tolerant and native plant species under RCMC § 23.716.050(B), especially near natural open space. At least 30 percent of the street trees and parking lot trees on a project must be an evergreen species chosen from the city's adopted master tree list.

Key details: Plant requirement: Emphasize drought-tolerant and native species. Evergreen tree requirement: At least 30% of street/parking lot trees. Minimum tree planting size: 15-gallon; 24-inch box for 25% of trees. Minimum shrub size: 5-gallon container. Governing section: RCMC § 23.716.050(B)-(C).

Violations of the landscape design standards are code violations under RCMC § 1.01.190, enforceable by the neighborhood services and planning divisions. A builder who fails to install, or fails to maintain, the required drought-tolerant or native planting faces a misdemeanor citation of up to $1,000 and six months in jail, or an infraction fine starting at $100, with each day of noncompliance a separate violation. The approval authority can also condition future site plan approvals on correcting the deficiency.

Water Restrictions

Rancho Cordova is served by Golden State Water Company and California American Water. Permanent State Water Resources Control Board prohibitions apply year-round, and utility drought stages can further limit outdoor watering to assigned days. AB 1572 phases out watering non-functional turf at commercial and institutional sites.

Key details: Utilities: Golden State Water and Cal Am Water. State Rule: No runoff, hose nozzle required. AB 1572: No potable for nonfunctional turf. MWELO: Over 500 sq ft landscaping. HOA Shield: Civil Code 4735.

Water wasting violations can draw warnings, escalating utility fines from 50 to 500 dollars, and flow restrictors for chronic offenders.

Rainwater Harvesting

California AB 1750, the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, allows homeowners to collect rainwater from rooftops without a water right permit. Rancho Cordova permits rain barrels and cisterns with basic setback and overflow requirements. Systems over 5,000 gallons require building permits.

Key details: State Law: Water Code 10574 AB 1750. Rain Barrels: Usually no permit. Large Cisterns: Permit for larger systems. Indoor Use: CPC Chapter 17. Mosquito Rule: Screened lids required.

Unpermitted large cisterns can trigger stop-work orders and plan check fees. Mosquito-breeding containers may be abated by vector control with fees.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Rancho Cordova has its own tree removal permit ordinance, it is not governed by Sacramento County's rule. Under RCMC Title 19, Chapter 19.12 (Preservation and Protection of Private Trees), no person may damage, kill, remove, or perform a major trimming of a protected tree, a native oak 6+ inches in trunk diameter, or any other tree species 12+ inches (nonresidential) or 24+ inches (residential) in diameter, without an approved tree permit from the public works director.

Key details: Governing ordinance: RCMC Title 19, Ch. 19.12 (Preservation and Protection of Private Trees). Protected native oaks: Valley, interior live, blue, or oracle oak: 6+ inch trunk diameter. Protected other species: 12+ in. diameter (nonresidential) or 24+ in. (residential). Permit needed for: Removal, killing, damage, or major trimming of a protected tree. Application review: Within 20 business days of a complete application.

Violating the tree preservation chapter (RCMC § 19.12) is a misdemeanor: each day a violation continues is a separate offense, punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a fine of up to $1,000, in addition to any required tree replacement.

Artificial Turf

California AB 1572 phases out potable water irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial and institutional sites, making artificial turf an increasingly common alternative. Rancho Cordova permits synthetic turf in residential yards, and Civil Code 4735 prevents HOAs from banning artificial turf installed as a water conservation measure.

Key details: State Law: AB 1572 Water Code 10608.14. HOA Shield: Civil Code 4735. Permit: Generally not required. Drainage: Must manage runoff. Front Yard: Minimum live plantings may apply.

HOA restrictions that flatly prohibit artificial turf during drought are unenforceable under Civil Code 4735. Improper drainage causing runoff onto neighbors can trigger civil nuisance claims.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Rancho Cordova gives residents more flexibility on artificial turf.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Rancho Cordova gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 2 of the 7 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 Rancho Cordova's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.