Landscaping Rules in Costa Mesa, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Costa Mesa, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Costa Mesa property maintenance standards require owners to maintain landscaping and prevent overgrown vegetation. Weeds, debris, and unkempt vegetation constituting unsightly conditions or safety hazards must be removed.
Costa Mesa Property Maintenance & Landscaping
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Costa Mesa maintains city-owned street trees through the Public Works Department. Private trees on residential property are the owner's responsibility. Trees must not obstruct sidewalks, streets, or create hazardous conditions for neighbors.
Costa Mesa Tree Maintenance Requirements
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code § 4291
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 sha...
Weed Ordinances
Costa Mesa requires property owners to remove weeds, debris, and overgrown vegetation under property maintenance standards. The city may declare severely neglected properties a public nuisance and perform abatement at the owner's expense.
Costa Mesa Weed & Nuisance Vegetation
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
Costa Mesa requires approved irrigation systems for new development under its landscaping standards. Automatically time-controlled sprinklers are required for commercial, industrial, and multi-family sites. Drought restrictions from the Mesa Water District apply.
Costa Mesa Water Conservation Standards
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
California law encourages rainwater harvesting, and Costa Mesa permits residents to collect and store rainwater for irrigation and non-potable uses without a permit for systems under 5,000 gallons. Rebates may be available through Mesa Water District.
Costa Mesa Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Water Code §§10573–10574 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, AB 1750)
10573. Solely for the purposes of this part, and unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this part: (a) “Developed or developing lands” means lands that have one or more of the characteristics described in subparagraphs (A) to (C), inclusive, of paragraph (4) of subdivision (b) of Section 56375.3 of the Government Code. (b) “Rain barrel system...
Native Plants
Costa Mesa encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping through compliance with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). Rebates for turf replacement are available through Mesa Water District and Metropolitan Water District programs.
Costa Mesa Native & Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are ...
Artificial Turf
Costa Mesa allows artificial turf installation on residential properties as a water-saving landscaping alternative. Turf removal rebate programs may apply to transitioning from natural grass to synthetic turf. HOAs cannot unreasonably restrict artificial turf under California law.
Costa Mesa Artificial Turf Regulations
Few RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code § 4735
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...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Costa Mesa city rules.
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