San Mateo's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

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

Tree Trimming

Private tree trimming in San Mateo does not require a city permit. Street trees (public right-of-way) require permission from the Parks Division. Trees must not encroach on adjacent properties or utilities without proper trimming.

Key details: Private Trees: No permit needed for trimming. Street Trees: Parks Division approval required. Utility Lines: Coordinate with PG&E. Contact: Public Works (650) 522-7300.

Unauthorized removal of protected tree: $1,000 to $25,000+ per tree. Replacement planting required. Criminal charges possible.

Weed Ordinances

San Mateo requires property owners to maintain their lots free of overgrown weeds, dead vegetation, and fire hazards. Code Enforcement addresses complaints about unmaintained vegetation. The fire department enforces vegetation clearance in wildfire-prone hillside areas.

Key details: Responsibility: Property owner maintains vegetation. Sidewalk Weeds: Owner responsible. Fire Areas: SM Consolidated Fire enforces. City Abatement: May perform work and bill owner. Code Enforcement: 650-522-7200.

Property owners receive notice with compliance deadline. Non-compliance may result in city abatement with costs billed to owner. Liens may be placed on the property for unpaid abatement costs.

Water Restrictions

San Mateo's water is provided by Cal Water (San Mateo District). Water conservation ordinances (SMMC Ch. 23.72) apply to landscaping. Year-round prohibitions include runoff, watering during/after rain, and midday irrigation.

Key details: Water Provider: Cal Water (San Mateo District). No Watering Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM (summer). Rain Rule: No watering within 48 hours of rain. Runoff: Prohibited. Code: SMMC Ch. 23.72.

Water waste: warning, then fines $100 to $500. Drought violations: escalating fines. Water district may impose surcharges.

Grass Height Limits

San Mateo requires property owners to maintain their lots free of excessive weeds and overgrown grass. Overgrowth that constitutes a fire hazard or public nuisance is subject to code enforcement and potential city abatement.

Key details: Standard: No hazardous overgrowth. Enforcement: Code Enforcement (650) 522-7150. City Abatement: At owner's cost if not remedied. Season: Fire hazard most acute spring–fall.

Notice to abate. City abatement at owner’s expense ($200 to $1,000+). Administrative fees. Property lien for non-payment.

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Private tree removal in San Mateo generally does not require a city permit. Street tree removal requires Parks Division approval. Heritage or protected trees may require additional review.

Key details: Private Trees: Generally no permit required. Street Trees: Parks Division approval required. Special Zones: Additional review possible near creeks. Contact: Public Works (650) 522-7300.

Unauthorized removal: $500 to $10,000 per tree. Replacement planting required. Street tree damage: city restitution costs.

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in San Mateo under California AB 1750. Rain barrels under 5,000 gallons are exempt from building permits. Cal Water may offer rebates. Collected rainwater can be used for irrigation and non-potable purposes.

Key details: Legal Status: Legal — AB 1750. Permit Exempt: Under 5,000 gallons. Approved Uses: Irrigation, non-potable. Water Provider: Cal Water Service. Vector Control: SM County.

No permit violations for systems under 5,000 gallons. Standing water breeding mosquitoes may be cited. Large systems without permits may be cited.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find San Mateo gives residents more flexibility on rainwater harvesting.

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is permitted in San Mateo. California Government Code 65595 prohibits cities from requiring natural grass. HOAs cannot prohibit water-efficient landscaping under Civil Code 4735. Cal Water may offer rebates for turf replacement.

Key details: Permit: Generally not required. State Protection: CA Gov Code §65595. HOA Protection: CA Civil Code §4735. Water District: Cal Water — check rebates. Drainage: Must maintain proper drainage.

No violations for installing artificial turf. Poor drainage causing runoff issues may be cited. HOA restrictions violating state law are void.

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

Native Plants

San Mateo encourages drought-tolerant and native landscaping consistent with California's MWELO. New landscapes over 500 square feet must comply with water-efficiency calculations. California law prohibits cities from banning drought-tolerant plants.

Key details: MWELO: New landscapes 500+ sq ft. State Protection: Cannot ban drought-tolerant plants. Water Provider: Cal Water Service. Climate Zone: USDA 10a-10b — Mediterranean. Tree Protection: Ch. 13.40 — Protected Trees.

Non-compliance with MWELO on applicable projects may delay permits. No penalties for existing native landscaping. Failure to maintain required landscaping on commercial properties may be cited.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find San Mateo gives residents more flexibility on native plants.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, San Mateo 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.

Keep in mind that San Mateo 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.