Landscaping Rules in Brentwood, CA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Brentwood, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Brentwood property owners must trim trees overhanging a public street, alley, or place to keep at least 10 feet of clearance above a sidewalk and 15 feet above the street. Municipal Code § 7.03.090 lets the city trim non-compliant trees and bill the owner.
Overhanging Tree Clearance in Brentwood
Some RestrictionsBrentwood Municipal Code § 7.03.090
It is the duty of every person having charge or control of any lot or premises, either as owner, agent, lessee, tenant, or otherwise, on which trees are growing but which overhang any public street, alley, or place to trim such trees where they overhang the public street, alley, or place so there is a clear space underneath of at least ten feet above a sidewalk and fifteen feet between the lowe...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Brentwood requires a permit before anyone trims, cuts, or removes a street tree or city-owned tree. Municipal Code § 7.03.030 makes it unlawful to trim, cut, mutilate, or injure any such tree, or its roots or branches, without a permit from the director.
Street Tree Removal Permit in Brentwood
Some RestrictionsBrentwood Municipal Code § 7.03.030
It is unlawful for any person to trim, cut, mutilate, or injure any street or city-owned tree, or the roots or branches thereof, growing upon any public street, curb, or place in the city or to injure or impair the growth or life of any such tree, roots, or branches without a permit.
Weed Ordinances
Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner maintains the noxious weed list under California Food and Agricultural Code Section 5004. Brentwood property owners must control listed species including yellow starthistle, artichoke thistle, and puncturevine, and the county may enter and abate infestations at the owner's expense.
Landscaping: Weeds Noxious
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 5004
5004. “Noxious weed” means any species of plant that is, or is liable to be, troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental, or destructive to agriculture, silviculture, or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious weed. In determining whether or not a species shall be designated a noxious weed for the purpose...
Water Restrictions
Brentwood bans irrigating with potable water between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. year-round and for 48 hours after measurable rain. The rule sits in the city's water-waste code, enforced by the public works department against any customer of the municipal water system.
Brentwood Irrigation and Water Waste Rules
Some RestrictionsBrentwood Municipal Code § 14.01.510
As a condition of service, customers of the city must use water delivered through the city's system in a manner that promotes efficiency and avoids waste. Water waste, including, but not limited to, the following actions, is a violation of this code and prohibited ... ... 9. Irrigation with potable water between eight a.m. and seven p.m. daily. 10. The application of potable water to outdoor la...
Native Plants
California law strongly encourages drought-tolerant landscaping in Brentwood. HOAs cannot prohibit low-water landscaping under Civil Code Section 4735, and the state's MWELO requires water-efficient design for new and retrofit landscapes exceeding 500 square feet. Rebates are available through Contra Costa Water District partners for turf removal.
Landscaping: Xeriscape Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code § 4735 (Low water-using plants in HOAs)
4735. (a) Notwithstanding any other law, a provision of the governing documents or architectural or landscaping guidelines or policies shall be void and unenforceable if it does any of the following: (1) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of low water-using plants as a group or as a replacement of existing turf. (2) Prohibits, or includes conditions t...
Looking for Contra Costa County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Brentwood city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Contra Costa County →