Landscaping Rules in Burbank, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Burbank, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Burbank caps parkway shrubs/ground cover at 8 inches above the curb and treats dry grass and overgrown vegetation as an abatable public nuisance, but the code does not fix a numeric lawn-height limit for private yards (BMC 7-4-110(B); 4-2-207).
Parkway Plant Height & Weed/Dry-Grass Limits
Some RestrictionsCity of Burbank, Community Development - Code Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions (overgrown vegetation)
The Code does not require lawns to be mowed at regular intervals, but dead or overgrown vegetation is a violation. To report a concern about overgrown vegetation, contact the Building and Safety Division - Code Enforcement at (818) 238-5225.
Tree Trimming
Burbank requires a written city permit to trim, prune, or otherwise maintain any tree in the public right-of-way or parkway, and unauthorized pruning of a public tree is unlawful (BMC 7-4-104; 7-4-113).
Permit Required to Trim Street/Public Trees
Heavy RestrictionsBurbank Municipal Code 7-4-104(C), (D) (Maintenance of Street Trees)
It shall be unlawful for any person to alter, or otherwise perform maintenance, on a tree within a public area and/or public right-of-way without a written permit. A permit for tree maintenance SHALL NOT constitute authorization for any type of tree related work other than what is specified on the City issued permit.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing any public (street/parkway) tree in Burbank requires a public tree removal permit, payment of the tree's appraised value, and replacement; the Parks Director also maintains a restricted list of landmark and outstanding trees (BMC 7-4-111; 7-4-108).
Public Tree Removal Permit & Protected Trees
Heavy RestrictionsBurbank Municipal Code 7-4-111(A) (Removal for the Purpose of Construction)
A public tree removal permit is required to remove any public tree. Any public tree requested by any person or property owner to be removed for the purpose of any type of construction shall be replaced by the permittee with a tree of a size, species and in the location to be determined by the Director.
Weed Ordinances
BMC 4-2-208 requires owners to keep their property free of weeds at all times, and BMC 4-2-207 declares fire-hazard dry grass, brush, and curbline overgrowth a public nuisance subject to a 5-day abatement notice (BMC 4-2-209).
Weed Abatement - Premises Must Be Free of Weeds
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Burbank, Community Development - Code Enforcement Frequently Asked Questions (weeds and overgrown vegetation)
While the Code does not require lawns to be mowed at regular intervals, dead or overgrown vegetation is a violation. The Code Enforcement section strives for compliance within 15 to 60 days; however, time frames will vary on a case by case basis due to the violation type, owner response, legal due processes and other variables. Weeds on public property are handled by Public Works at (818) 238-3...
Water Restrictions
Burbank's Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (BMC 8-2-301 et seq.) limits outdoor irrigation by day, hour, and duration, and the city is currently in Stage III. Year-round Stage I rules also ban runoff onto paved surfaces and hosing down hard surfaces.
Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (Stage III)
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Burbank, Burbank Water and Power, Watering Schedule (Stage III, Sustainable Water Use Ordinance, BMC 8-2-304)
Burbank is currently in Stage III of the Sustainable Water Use Ordinance. April 1 - October 31, watering is allowed Tuesdays and Saturdays only, before 9 am or after 6 pm, a maximum of 15 minutes per irrigation station. Attended hand watering is allowed any day, before 9 am or after 6 pm. Low volume (including drip) irrigation systems are exempt from the 15-minute time restriction but must comp...
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in California. No state or local permit required for residential rain barrels. Burbank Water and Power may offer rebates for rain barrel installation.
Burbank Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia AB 1750 (2012) — Rainwater Capture Act (Water Code Part 2.4, Sec. 10570 et seq.)
This bill would enact the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, which would provide that use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit from the state board. ... This bill would additionally authorize a landscape contractor working within the classification of his or her license to enter into a prime contract for the construction of a rainwater capture system, as define...
Native Plants
Burbank's Sustainable Water Use Ordinance bans irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians and encourages drought-tolerant landscaping; new and rehabilitated landscapes must also comply with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).
Drought-Tolerant Landscaping & Median Turf Ban
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources, Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), 23 CCR Div. 2, Ch. 2.7
The purpose of water efficient landscape ordinances is to not only increase water efficiency but to improve environmental conditions in the built environment. New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is permitted as a water-efficient landscape option in Burbank. AB 1572 (2024) bans irrigating non-functional turf with potable water for commercial properties. MWELO standards support turf alternatives.
Burbank Artificial Turf Regulations
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 4735 (HOA Landscaping — Artificial Turf and Low-Water Plant Protections)
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 Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Burbank city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Los Angeles County →