Landscaping Rules in Chino Hills, CA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Chino Hills, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Chino Hills has no fixed lawn-grass height number in its code. Overgrown grass and weeds are regulated through the City's annual weed abatement program, run under the supervision of the Chino Valley Independent Fire District for fire safety, with a May 15 cutting deadline for homeowners.
Chino Hills Grass Height & Overgrown Vegetation
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Residents may prune their own private trees without a permit, but must follow ISA arboriculture standards for protected native trees. Parkway and public right-of-way trees may only be trimmed by the City; residents trimming them risk penalties under the Encroachments chapter (CHMC 12.24) and City-Owned Trees chapter (CHMC 12.26).
Chino Hills Tree Trimming
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing protected native trees or heritage trees in Chino Hills requires a Tree and Plant Removal Permit from Community Development. Four native species 4+ inches DBH and any tree 44+ inches DBH (heritage) are protected. Public/parkway trees may not be removed by residents at all under CHMC 12.26.
Chino Hills Tree Removal
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Chino Hills runs an annual Weed Abatement program under the supervision of the Chino Valley Independent Fire District. Homeowners must finish cutting weeds by May 15. Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone properties must maintain defensible space under California law and CVFD Ordinance 2022-01.
Chino Hills Weed Abatement & Brush Clearance
Heavy RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Chino Hills runs its own water utility and is under a Stage II Moderate Water Conservation Alert (effective May 9, 2023). Outdoor watering is limited to 3 assigned days per week, only 6 p.m. to 9 a.m., 15 minutes per sprinkler station. No hard-surface runoff, no watering within 48 hours of rain.
Chino Hills Water Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Chino Hills publishes no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater capture, and its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance actually encourages onsite stormwater capture. Under California law, rooftop rain barrels and cisterns under 360 gallons for outdoor non-potable use need no water-right permit and usually no building permit.
Chino Hills Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Chino Hills encourages low-water and climate-appropriate plants through its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (CHMC 16.07), which applies to landscape projects of 500+ square feet. It also protects four native tree species. The City offers turf-removal rebates to convert lawns to water-efficient landscaping.
Chino Hills Native & Water-Efficient Plants
Some RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Chino Hills has no published code section flatly banning residential artificial turf, and its water ordinance encourages reducing real lawn. In regulated landscape-buffer settings, any turf must be drought-tolerant and capped at 10 percent of the planting area. Homeowners should confirm material standards with Community Development.
Chino Hills Artificial Turf
Some RestrictionsComposting
Chino Hills mandates organic-waste recycling under California SB 1383, adopted locally as Ordinance No. 377 (effective December 23, 2021). All single-family homes receive a green-lid organics cart for food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings, collected by Waste Management. There are no residential exemptions.
Chino Hills Composting & Organic Waste
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Chino Hills city rules.
Landscaping Rules in San Bernardino County →