San Bernardino's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles landscaping rules a little differently. In San Bernardino, 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

San Bernardino enforces weed and vegetation fire-hazard abatement by adopting the San Bernardino County Weed Abatement Code by reference under Municipal Code § 8.19.010. City Code Enforcement, standing in for the County Fire Chief/Fire Warden, can cite property owners, with penalties reaching a $1,000 fine or six months in jail for repeat offenses.

Key details: Governing source: County Weed Abatement Code, adopted by reference. Local enforcer: Code Enforcement Division Manager. 1st offense fine: $50 to $100. 3rd+ offense penalty: Up to $1,000 or 6 months jail. Adopted: Ord. MC-1445, 5-15-2017.

Under § 8.19.040(E), a first offense is an infraction punishable by a base fine of $50 to $100; a second offense within one year carries a $100 to $200 base fine; a third or additional offense within a year may be an infraction (up to $500) or a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail and/or a $1,000 base fine, with any first or second offense also eligible to be charged directly as a misdemeanor at the city's discretion.

This is not one of those rules that cities tend to ignore. San Bernardino actively enforces its weed ordinances requirements.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

San Bernardino requires a city permit before cutting down, uprooting, destroying or removing more than five trees from a development site or parcel within any 36-month period. The Development Services Department issues permits after an inspection confirms removal will not harm the environment or public welfare.

Key details: Permit trigger: More than 5 trees per 36 months. Issuing department: City Development Services Department. Inspection window: 10 working days after application. Appeal body: Mayor and City Council (Ch. 2.64). Penalty: Infraction/misdemeanor plus restitution.

Cutting down, uprooting or removing more than five trees from a site within 36 months without a permit is an infraction or misdemeanor under § 15.34.060, punishable per § 1.12.010. On top of any fine, the violator must pay the city restitution for the unlawful destruction or removal, capped at the replacement value of the trees removed.

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.

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.

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.

The rules around artificial turf in San Bernardino lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Composting

San Bernardino allows residents to compost yard and food waste on-site instead of disposing of it. Municipal Code Section 8.24.070(A)(2) carves backyard composting out of the general ban on disposing of solid waste on your own property, without imposing a bin permit or size standard.

Key details: Backyard composting: Exempt from on-site disposal ban. Permit required: None specified in the chapter. Alternative: Curbside organics cart under § 8.24.090. Limit: Cannot become a nuisance or spill offsite.

A compost pile is not automatically a violation, but if it becomes a nuisance, attracts vermin, or spills into a right-of-way or neighboring property, it loses the Section 8.24.070(A)(2) exemption's protection and can be treated as an unlawful accumulation of solid waste under Section 8.24.070, subject to a City Manager cleanup order.

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

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.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, San Bernardino gives residents more room on landscaping rules. 3 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.

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.