Landscaping Rules in Alhambra, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Alhambra, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Alhambra property owners must keep trees, hedges and other vegetation from overhanging or growing into any public street, sidewalk, alley or right-of-way in a way that obstructs people or vehicles. Overgrown or obstructing vegetation is declared a public nuisance under § 6.26.030 and is enforceable as a misdemeanor plus an administrative fine.
Alhambra Bans Trees That Block Streets or Walks
Some RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code § 6.26.030(A)(3)(c)
(c) Vegetation that overhangs or grows onto or into any public property, including, but not limited to, any public alley, highway, land, sidewalk, street or other right-of-way, so as to cause an obstruction to any person or vehicle using such public property.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing, topping or materially altering a protected oak, California native, or mature tree on private property in Alhambra requires a tree permit from the Community Development Department. Applications need a removal justification, and healthy-tree permits require public notice and go through the Director as review authority before approval.
Alhambra Protected Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code § 23.12.170(C), (G)
(C) Tree permit required. A tree permit is required to remove or otherwise materially alter a protected tree on private property whether vacant, undeveloped, in the process of development or developed, except as provided below. ... (G) Enforcement. ... (2) Whenever a tree removal has occurred, independent of a development project, contrary to the provision of this chapter, no building permits...
Weed Ordinances
Chapter 6.24 of the Alhambra Municipal Code declares weeds, rubbish and dirt on private property a public nuisance, whether growing on the lot itself or on the abutting street or alley. There is no fixed height limit: any fire-prone brush, downy-seeded weeds, poison oak or poison ivy, or accumulated flammable debris triggers the city's notice-and-abatement process under §§ 6.24.020 and 6.24.030.
Alhambra Weed and Rubbish Abatement
Some RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code § 6.24.020 (Ord. 3438)
(A) All weeds, rubbish and dirt of any kind, as defined in this chapter, on private property or on or over any street, alley, or public right-of-way in the city, shall constitute a public nuisance. (B) No person owning, managing or having control or charge or occupancy of any building, lot or premises within the city, shall permit weeds, rubbish or dirt of any kind as defined in this chapte...
Water Restrictions
When the City Council activates Water Shortage Plan II, Alhambra bars landscape irrigation more than once every three days and forbids watering between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. citywide, with an even tighter two-day, Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday, 8 a.m.-to-6 p.m. schedule once Plan III takes effect.
Alhambra Watering Day and Time Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsAlhambra Municipal Code § 15.25.090(G)-(H) (Ord. 4155, as amended by Ord. 4720, passed 9-11-17)
(G) No customer of the Water Division shall use or allow the use of water from the City Water Division for landscape watering more often than every three days. (H) No customer of the Water Division shall use or allow the use of water for landscape watering between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Artificial Turf
Alhambra allows artificial turf in required landscaped areas, but only if it meets detailed material, installation and maintenance standards under Zoning Code § 23.17.050(A)(4). Rubber crumb infill is banned, turf must drain at 30 inches per hour, and it cannot go within five feet of a tree trunk or anywhere in a parkway.
Alhambra Artificial Turf Rules
Some RestrictionsAlhambra, CA, Zoning Code § 23.17.050(A)(4) (Artificial Turf)
The turf shall have a minimum eight-year no-fade warranty as issued by the manufacturer. The turf shall be cut-pile infill, minimum pile height one and two-thirds inches and a maximum of one and three-quarter inches, with parallel long slit blades... Be affixed to a permeable triple-layer backing and allow water to percolate through the synthetic grass at a drain rate of at least 30 inches per ...
Composting
Alhambra regulates composting only through its community garden standards. Compost piles and receptacles must stay out of view from any public right-of-way and at least 20 feet from residential structures, and gardens on residentially zoned land may compost solely material generated on-site, none may be imported or sold off-site.
Alhambra Composting Rules for Community Gardens
Some RestrictionsAlhambra, CA, Zoning Code § 23.22.100(F) (Community Gardens - Composting), adopted by Ord. 4823
(F) Composting. (1) Compost and compost receptacles shall be located so as not to be visible from a public right-of-way. (2) Compost and compost receptacles shall be set back a minimum of 20 feet from residential structures. (3) In Residential Zoning Districts, composting is limited to the materials generated on-site and shall be used on-site.
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Alhambra city rules.
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