Landscaping Rules in Aliso Viejo, CA (2026)
4 verified landscaping rules for Aliso Viejo, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, no mature tree can be removed on a lot with development under the urban lot split chapter unless removal is necessary to build a dwelling unit that state law requires. A mature tree is six inches or more in diameter or eight feet or taller, and each removal requires two replacement mature trees.
Aliso Viejo Urban Lot Split Tree Removal Rules
Some RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 14.28.050
8. Landscaping. a. Tree Removal. i. No mature tree may be removed on a lot with any development under this chapter unless removal is necessary to constructing a dwelling unit that must be allowed under state law. ii. “Mature tree” means a tree with a diameter of six inches or more or a height of eight feet or taller. iii. A tree may only be removed under subsection (I)(8)(a)(i) of this section ...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, AVMC 8.24.010 treats vegetation as a nuisance by hazard, not by inches: growth that endangers pedestrian or vehicle traffic, harbors rats or vermin, or forms a fire hazard to a structure, crop or other property. Owners and anyone controlling the property answer under Chapter 1.06.
Aliso Viejo Overgrown and Dead Vegetation Nuisance Rule
Light RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 8.24.010
Each and every one of the following acts or conditions is hereby declared to be a nuisance for purposes of this chapter: A. Fire Hazards. Any dry or dead shrub, tree, combustible refuse, or waste, or growing material which by reason of its size, manner of growth and location, constitutes a fire hazard to a structure, crop or other property. ... D. Overgrown or Dead Vegetation. Vegetation which:...
Water Restrictions
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, AVMC 7.30.050(B) requires irrigation of all landscaped areas to follow established watering windows and water waste rules set by the city, the local water purveyor, the state or a regional agency. The code itself prints no watering days or hours, and irrigation runoff into storm drains or streets is separately banned.
Aliso Viejo Landscape Irrigation and Watering Window Rules
Some RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 7.30.050(B)
B. Irrigation of all landscaped areas shall be conducted in a manner conforming to the rules, regulations, and requirements, including any established watering windows, and subject to the penalties and incentives for water conservation and water waste prevention, as determined and implemented by the city, the applicable local water purveyor, the state, regional agency, or as mutually agreed to ...
Rainwater Harvesting
In the City of Aliso Viejo, California, rainwater capture appears in the water efficient landscape chapter at AVMC 7.30.030(C). A lot with under 2,500 square feet of landscaped area that meets its entire landscape water requirement with stored rainwater capture on site, or with graywater, is subject only to Appendix D, Section 5 of the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Aliso Viejo Rainwater Capture in Landscape Projects
Light RestrictionsAliso Viejo Municipal Code § 7.30.030
A. Beginning December 1, 2015, this chapter shall apply to the following: 1. All new construction projects with an aggregate landscaped area equal to or greater than 500 square feet that require a building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review; 2. All rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet that require a building ...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Aliso Viejo city rules.
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