San Bernardino's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter
Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In San Bernardino, 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.
Weed Ordinances
San Bernardino County Fire runs a mandatory annual weed abatement program in city fire hazard areas. Owners must clear dry weeds each spring or face county-contracted abatement billed as a lien.
Key details: Program: Annual Hazard Abatement run by SB County Fire. Notice period: 30 to 45 days after spring notice to comply. Cut requirement: Weeds and grass reduced to 4 in. or less. Forced abatement: County contractor clears lot at owner expense. Lien: Unpaid charges become special assessment on tax bill.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. San Bernardino actively enforces its weed ordinances requirements.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Private yard trees in San Bernardino can usually be removed without a permit, but heritage and street trees require city approval, and riparian or hillside trees may trigger CEQA and nesting rules.
Key details: Private yard trees: Generally removable without a city permit. Street trees: Public Works permit required to remove or major prune. Heritage trees: Permit and replacement planting required. Nesting season: Feb 1 to Sept 1 bird survey may be required. Sensitive zones: Streambed or hillside removals can trigger CEQA review.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting for irrigation is legal in San Bernardino under the CA Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. Simple rooftop barrels up to 5,000 gallons need no permit; pressurized systems need plumbing permits.
Key details: State authority: Rainwater Capture Act AB 1750 authorizes rooftop capture. Permit-exempt: Gravity rain barrels under 5,000 gal typically no permit. Plumbing code: CPC Chapter 17 governs larger or pressurized systems. Cross-connection: Backflow prevention required if tied to potable plumbing. Vector control: Tanks must be screened to prevent mosquito breeding.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find San Bernardino gives residents more flexibility on rainwater harvesting.
Native Plants
San Bernardino encourages native and climate-appropriate landscaping under MWELO and local rebates. HOAs cannot prohibit low-water plantings under California Civil Code 4735.
Key details: MWELO rule: State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance applies at permit. HOA protection: Civil Code 4735 bars HOA bans on drought-tolerant plants. Turf rebate: SBMWD and MWD offer per sq ft rebates to replace turf. Native palette: Manzanita, toyon, ceanothus, sage fit inland climate. Fire zones: Use fire-resistant spacing near structures in VHFHSZ.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find San Bernardino gives residents more flexibility on native plants.
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is allowed in San Bernardino yards and is protected under California Civil Code 4735, which bars HOA bans. Installations must meet drainage, fire, and landscape ordinance standards.
Key details: State protection: Civil Code 4735 bars HOA bans on artificial turf. Permit: City plan review may be required under landscape ordinance. Drainage: Permeable base required to prevent street runoff. Fire zones: AB 3074 Zone 0 may require fire-rated turf near structures. Product standards: Must meet Prop 65 and CPSC lead limits.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
The rules around artificial turf in San Bernardino lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.
Water Restrictions
San Bernardino Municipal Water Department enforces year-round water waste rules and drought stages. Hosing hardscape is banned, irrigation is limited to set days, and AB 1572 phases out non-functional turf.
Key details: Prohibited practices: Hosing hardscape, runoff, and non-recirculating fountains banned. Watering window: Morning and evening only on assigned days. AB 1572: Phasing out potable water on non-functional turf at commercial sites. MWELO: New landscapes need smart controllers, drip, and rain sensors. Penalties: Warning then escalating fines added to water bill.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. San Bernardino actively enforces its water restrictions requirements.
Grass Height Limits
San Bernardino requires owners to keep grass and weeds below nuisance thresholds year-round. In foothill fire zones, vegetation must be mowed to four inches or less during fire season.
Key details: Nuisance code: SBMC Chapter 8.30 treats overgrown vegetation as a nuisance. Fire season rule: 4 in. or less required in VHFHSZ defensible space zones. Annual inspections: County Hazard Abatement Notices issued each spring. Forced abatement: County contracts mowing and bills owner plus admin fees. Citations: City administrative fines start at roughly 100 dollars.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Tree Trimming
San Bernardino owners must keep trees trimmed for sidewalk and street clearance, and in foothill fire zones limbs must be at least six feet above ground and canopies 10 feet apart under PRC 4291.
Key details: Sidewalk clearance: Minimum 8 ft vertical clearance over sidewalks. Street clearance: Minimum 14 ft vertical clearance over public streets. VHFHSZ pruning: Limbs 6 ft off ground and 10 ft canopy separation under PRC 4291. Chimney rule: No branches within 10 ft of a chimney outlet. Protected trees: Permit required to remove designated heritage trees.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
The Bottom Line
Compared to many U.S. cities, San Bernardino gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 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.
This guide is based on San Bernardino's current municipal code. Local rules can and do change, so check the individual ordinance pages for the latest details, penalties, and FAQs.