Landscaping Rules in Clovis, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Clovis, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Weeds and grass exceeding 6-12 inches constitute a nuisance in Clovis. Property owners receive notice and must abate or city abates at owner cost. Fire hazard weed abatement enforced especially in summer.
landscaping/grass-height
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Street trees trimmed by city; property owner trims private trees. Trees overhanging sidewalks/streets must clear 8 ft pedestrian, 14 ft vehicle. Neighbor may trim encroaching branches to property line.
landscaping/tree-trimming
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code Section 4291 (Defensible Space Around Buildings in SRA)
4291. (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary s...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing street trees or trees in public rights-of-way requires city permit. Private property tree removal generally does not require permit unless designated heritage tree or part of development review.
landscaping/tree-removal
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Clovis enforces weed and rubbish abatement under CA Gov Code §39561+. Annual fire-season weed abatement program notifies owners; failure to clear triggers city abatement with costs assessed as tax lien.
landscaping/weed-ordinances
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code Section 5004 (Noxious Weeds - Authority)
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 purpo...
Water Restrictions
Clovis enforces permanent water conservation rules plus drought-stage restrictions. Outdoor watering limited to assigned days/times. AB 1572 bans irrigating non-functional turf with potable water for commercial properties by 2027-2031.
landscaping/water-restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting legal in California and Clovis. AB 1750 (2012) legalized rainfall capture. Rain barrels under 100 gallons generally permit-exempt; larger cisterns may require building/plumbing permits.
landscaping/rainwater-harvesting
Few RestrictionsCal. AB 1750 (2012) - Rainwater Capture Act (Legislative Counsel Digest)
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST AB 1750, Solorio. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. (1) Under existing law, the State Water Resources Control Board (state board) and the California regional water quality control boards prescribe waste discharge requirements for the discharge of stormwater in accordance with the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit program and the Porter-Col...
Native Plants
Native and drought-tolerant plants encouraged in Clovis. CA Gov Code §65595 prohibits cities from banning drought-tolerant landscaping. MWELO compliance required for new/renovated landscapes over 500 sq ft.
landscaping/native-plants
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Artificial turf allowed in Clovis as water-saving landscaping. CA Civil Code §4735 prohibits HOAs from banning artificial turf and drought-tolerant landscaping. Building permit may be required for large installations.
landscaping/artificial-turf
Few RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code Section 4735 (Common Interest Developments - Landscaping Restrictions Void)
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...
Looking for Fresno County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Clovis city rules.
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