Landscaping Rules in Arcadia, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Arcadia, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
In the City of Arcadia, California, anyone who owns, leases, occupies or controls a lot must keep trees, bushes and shrubs from blocking pedestrians or vehicles on the abutting street, parkway or sidewalk. A tree or bush taller than 15 feet must have its lower limbs removed to leave 8 feet of clearance above the surface.
Tree Trimming Over Sidewalks in Arcadia, California
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code §§ 7220, 7220.1
Every person owning, leasing, occupying, or having charge or control of any lot or premises shall keep or maintain any tree, bush, shrub or vegetation growing upon any such lot or premises abutting any street, parkway or sidewalk so that the limbs, twigs, leaves or parts of such tree, bush, shrub or vegetation shall not interfere with or obstruct the free passage of pedestrians or vehicles alon...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In the City of Arcadia, California, a tree permit is required for every protected tree under Municipal Code § 9110.01.070. Removing a healthy protected tree takes a Certified Arborist report, a mailed Notice of Pending Decision to owners within 300 feet, and a Director decision within 30 days. Each approved removal is replaced by two 24-inch box trees.
Arcadia, CA Protected Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9110.01.070
A tree permit is required for all protected trees, as defined by this Chapter. ... 1.Removal of Dead, Diseased and/or Hazardous Protected Trees. a)If the Director or designee determines that the tree is dead or hazardous, a tree report is not required and removal may be authorized. ... b)Upon the receipt of a complete application t ... o remove a healthy protected tree, the Director or designee...
Weed Ordinances
In the City of Arcadia, California, the one maintenance standard that names weeds is Municipal Code § 9406.5, which requires unoccupied residential properties to be kept free of weeds, dry brush and dead vegetation compared to the neighborhood standard. The section prints no grass or weed height in inches or feet, and a failure is a public nuisance subject to abatement.
Arcadia CA Weed Rules for Unoccupied Properties
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9406.5
A.Unoccupied properties shall not be substandard. Unoccupied properties shall be, in comparison to the neighborhood standard, kept free of weeds, dry brush, dead vegetation, trash, junk, debris, building materials, any accumulation of newspapers, circulars, flyers, notices (except those required by federal, state or local law), discarded personal items, including, but not limited to, furniture,...
Water Restrictions
In the City of Arcadia, California, Section 7553.7.1 bars watering lawns, landscape or turf between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Pacific time, during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall, and on more than 3 days per week. The three days are Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday unless the City Council prescribes other days by resolution.
Arcadia, California Lawn Watering Days and Hours
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 7553.7.1
(g)No lawn, landscape, or other turf areas shall be watered or irrigated between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Pacific time.(h)No lawn, landscape, or other turf areas shall be watered or irrigated during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall.(i)No lawn, landscape, or other turf areas shall be watered or irrigated more than 3 days per week, or such other number of days as the City...
Rainwater Harvesting
In the City of Arcadia, California, Section 7554.9 encourages rainwater retention and infiltration in landscape design and strongly recommends capacity to capture the one inch, 24-hour rain event or the 85th percentile, 24-hour rain event. The mandatory piece is friable soil in all planted landscape areas to maximize water retention and infiltration.
Rainwater Harvesting Rules in Arcadia, California
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 7554.9
A.Stormwater management combines practices to minimize runoff and increase infiltration which recharges groundwater and improves water quality. Implementing stormwater best management practices into the landscape and grading design plans to minimize runoff and to increase on-site rainwater retention and infiltration are encouraged. ... C.All planted landscape areas are required to have friable ...
Native Plants
In the City of Arcadia, California, Section 7554.4 lets a landscape plan use any plant so long as Estimated Total Water Use stays within the Maximum Applied Water Allowance, and it names protection of native species and selection of local native plants as water-efficiency methods. High water use plants are barred from street medians.
Native Plant Rules in Arcadia, California Landscapes
Light RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 7554.4
1.Plant Materiala.Any plant may be selected for the landscape providing the Estimated Total Water Use in the landscape area does not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following:i.Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation;ii.Selection of water-conserving plant, tree and turf species, especia...
Artificial Turf
The City of Arcadia, California allows artificial turf in any back yard or interior side yard, but caps it at 15 percent of a front or street side yard. Under Arcadia Municipal Code § 9103.09.040(D), turf stays 10 feet from a sidewalk, or 20 feet from the curb where no sidewalk exists, and is never allowed in a parkway.
Artificial Turf Rules in the City of Arcadia, California
Some RestrictionsArcadia Municipal Code § 9103.09.040(D)
a.Back Yards and Interior Side Yard Areas. Artificial turf is permitted in any zone within any back yard and/or interior side yard areas.b.Front and Street-Side Yards. In any zone, a maximum of 15 percent of the yard area within the front or street side yards may be installed with artificial turf. Artificial turf shall not be installed within 10 feet of a sidewalk or within 20 feet from the cur...
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