San Ramon's Landscaping Rules: The Rules That Matter

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

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing, relocating, or cutting down a protected tree in San Ramon requires a Tree Removal Permit under Municipal Code Section D5-11. The review authority weighs health, design, and safety criteria before acting, and specific circumstances, including drainage harm or an active bird nest, require outright denial.

Key details: Permit required: Before removing/relocating any protected tree. Protected native oak: 6+ inch diameter at 54 inches. Streamside tree threshold: 6 inch diameter within 100/50 ft of stream. Permit validity: 6 months, extendable up to 2 years. Appeal path: Chapter D7-II (Appeals and Calls for Review).

Cutting, damaging, or moving a protected tree without an approved permit is subject to the Municipal Code's general enforcement provisions under Section D5-8.D. Where a permit was issued with tree-preservation conditions, Section D5-12.C lets the review authority forfeit some or all of the posted security deposit for any violation of those conditions, subject to appeal through Chapter D7-II. A permit not exercised within its six-month window, or any approved extension, expires under Chapter D6-III.

Compared to other cities, San Ramon takes a harder line on tree removal & heritage trees. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Water Restrictions

San Ramon water service is provided by EBMUD and Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD). Permanent statewide water waste rules under SWRCB prohibit runoff, watering within 48 hours of rain, and hosing hard surfaces. Local drought stages trigger day-of-week watering limits, typically 2-3 days per week during drought.

Key details: Water Districts: EBMUD serves western San Ramon; DSRSD serves Dougherty Valley/eastern areas. Statewide Bans: No runoff, no hosing hard surfaces, no watering 48 hrs post-rain. Drought Schedules: Drought stages trigger 2–3 day watering schedules with AM/PM windows. Penalties: Fines range from warnings to $500 plus flow restrictor for repeat offenders. New Construction: Landscaping >500 sf must comply with MWELO.

Composting

San Ramon residents have a codified right to compost their own yard trimmings and food scraps at home instead of putting them in a hauler's bin. Municipal Code Section B6-7 lets any property owner or occupant recycle, compost or otherwise dispose of self-generated discarded material on-site, so long as it is done in a clean, sanitary manner.

Key details: Right established: Section B6-7: recycle, compost or dispose on-site. Service still required: Composting doesn't waive B6-2 subscription duty. Nuisance limit: No dangerous accumulation, fire hazard, or blight. Burning: Barred without fire chief's permission, § B6-6(C). Animal feed: Organics may feed on-site chickens, § B6-5.

Composting itself is not a violation, but letting a compost pile turn into a dangerous accumulation, fire hazard or nuisance breaches Section B6-6 and can bring code enforcement action. Burning yard waste or food scraps without the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District fire chief's permission is also barred under B6-6(C). Composting at home does not exempt a property from the separate B6-2 requirement to subscribe to solid waste, organics and recycling service; only a Director-approved waiver does that.

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

Tree Trimming

San Ramon declares it a public nuisance to let a tree's branches restrict access to a sidewalk or street, block traffic signs or lights, or overhang and obstruct a sidewalk, street, driveway or alley. Section B6-131 puts the duty to trim on the property owner, enforced through the city's nuisance abatement chapter.

Key details: Nuisance trigger: Branches blocking sidewalk/street/signs. Governing section: SRMC § B6-131(E)(11), (E)(12)(c). Owner correction window: 30 to 90 days from notice. Hearing request deadline: 10 days from notice. Citation fine due: Within 30 days.

Failing to trim overhanging or view-obstructing growth after notice exposes the owner to an administrative citation under Section B6-143, with the fine set by council fee resolution and due within 30 days, plus nuisance abatement costs assessed against the property under Section B6-161 et seq. A repeat violation within two years can draw treble abatement costs under Section B6-169.

Artificial Turf

San Ramon's Zoning Ordinance counts synthetic turf as landscaping under the 'Landscape Area – Softscape' definition, so artificial turf is allowed in required yards. New single-family developments must landscape the strip between the curb and the house front with water-conserving plants and irrigation, but turf, real or synthetic, cannot exceed 50 percent of that landscaped area under Municipal Code § D3-20(B).

Key details: Turf cap, new SFR front yard: 50% of landscaped area (§ D3-20(B)). Synthetic turf status: Counts as Softscape landscape area. Min. landscaped area, RS/RE/RC/HR: 50% of lot (Table 3-6). Min. landscaped area, RM/RMH/RH/RVH: 15% of lot (Table 3-6). Planter width for turf/shrubs: 4 feet minimum (§ D3-21(A)(4)).

Landscaping shown on an approved Landscape Plan, including turf coverage, must be installed before final inspection unless a bond or surety is posted under Municipal Code § D3-20(A)(2). A development that exceeds the 50 percent turf cap in the front landscaped strip, or fails to maintain turf and irrigation in a healthful condition under § D3-23, is out of compliance and can be held up at final inspection or cited for a zoning violation until the Landscape Plan is corrected.

Weed Ordinances

Noxious weeds designated by the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner under California Food and Agricultural Code Section 5004 must be controlled on private property. Common San Ramon targets include yellow starthistle, Italian thistle, French and Scotch broom, and artichoke thistle. Enforcement is handled by the county with city abatement backstop.

Key details: Fee: Contra Costa County Ag Commissioner enforces noxious weed controls per FAC §5004. Rule: Yellow starthistle, French/Scotch broom, and thistles are common targets. Rule: Owners of infested properties may receive county control orders. Authority: San Ramon can treat infestations as public nuisance under GC §39561. Rule: Volunteer opportunities available through EBRPD and Save Mount Diablo.

Native Plants

San Ramon encourages drought-tolerant landscaping under California's MWELO (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance). New and renovated landscapes over 500 sq ft must meet Maximum Applied Water Allowance limits. EBMUD and DSRSD offer lawn replacement rebates. HOAs cannot prohibit water-efficient landscaping per Civil Code Section 4735.

Key details: Landscape Funding: TCSD districts may fund some areas. Note: Drought-tolerant and native planting strongly encouraged and MWELO-compliant. Note: EBMUD Lawn-to-Garden rebate ~$2/sf for turf conversion. Note: Civil Code §4735 voids HOA bans on water-efficient landscaping. Permit/License: Small residential conversions under 500 sf usually permit-free.

The rules around native plants in San Ramon lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, San Ramon 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 San Ramon's publicly available municipal code. For complete penalty schedules, exemption details, and answers to common questions, see the individual ordinance pages throughout this guide.