How Redwood City Handles Landscaping Rules: A Practical Guide

Redwood City maintains 130 local ordinances across all categories, and 4 of those deal specifically with landscaping rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Redwood City falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.

Weed Ordinances

Redwood City makes it unlawful for an owner or occupant of property fronting an improved street with cement sidewalks or curbs to allow grass, weeds, dirt, rubbish, or other obstructions to accumulate or grow in the walk area from curb to property line.

Key details: Responsible party: Owner, lessee, or tenant. Area: Curb to property line. Prohibits: Weeds, dirt, rubbish, obstructions. Code section: RCC 14.9.

Allowing weeds, rubbish, or obstructions to accumulate in the sidewalk-area frontage violates Redwood City Code section 14.9 and may be abated by the City.

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

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Cutting, moving, or removing a protected tree anywhere in Redwood City requires a permit from the Parks and Recreation Director under Code Sec. 35.3. The Director investigates within 10 days of application and weighs disease, construction impact, erosion, neighborhood tree density, and forestry practice before deciding.

Key details: Permit issuer: Parks and Recreation Director. Site investigation deadline: Within 10 days of application. Emergency removal: Allowed with Police/Fire/Park permission. Replacement deadline: 1 year after damage/destruction finding. Subdivision trees: Tentative map approval doubles as removal permit.

Cutting or removing a tree without the required permit is unlawful under Sec. 35.3. If a tree is damaged or destroyed without the Director's prior approval for removal, the responsible person must restore it to its former condition, or, if that is impossible or it was destroyed, plant a replacement of similar size and species the Director approves within one year of the damage finding or the destruction itself (Sec. 35.7), unless replacement would create great hardship. An applicant denied a permit, or ordered to restore or replace a tree, can appeal the Director's decision to the City Manager under the general appeal procedure in Chapter 1 (Sec. 35.8). The City Council can also exclude an entire subdivision from the chapter by motion if it is already subject to equivalent site or architectural controls (Sec. 35.9).

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

Water Restrictions

New landscapes over 500 square feet, and rehabbed landscapes over 2,500 square feet, in Redwood City must meet the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance's soil and mulch standards, incorporating compost and applying a minimum mulch layer, under Municipal Code Section 47.120, as a condition of the required permit or design review.

Key details: Governing section: City Code § 47.120. New landscape threshold: Over 500 sq ft. Rehab landscape threshold: Over 2,500 sq ft. Compost rate: 4 cu yd per 1,000 sq ft, 6" deep. Mulch depth: Minimum 3-inch layer.

A landscape plan that omits the required compost and mulch specifications can be rejected at plan check or design review, since compliance with Section 47.120 is a condition of permit approval for a covered project. Noncompliance discovered after installation is enforced as a Chapter 47 violation: the City issues a notice of violation, then, absent correction, an administrative citation carrying a $100 fine for a first violation, $200 for a second, and $500 for a third or later violation under Section 47.150, with appeal rights through a hearing under Municipal Code Chapter 1, Article II.

Tree Trimming

Private tree trimming on private property does not require a city permit in Redwood City. Trees near overhead utility lines may require coordination with PG&E. Street trees require city approval before any work.

Key details: Private Trees: No city permit needed for trimming. Street Trees: City approval required before any work. Utility Lines: Coordinate with PG&E. Contact: Parks Division (650) 780-7000.

The Bottom Line

Redwood City is tougher than many cities when it comes to landscaping rules. Out of the 4 rules covered here, 2 are rated strict. If you are a homeowner, renter, or business owner in Redwood City, take the time to understand these requirements before they become a problem. Most violations come with fines, and some repeat violations can escalate.

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