Landscaping Rules in Cupertino, CA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Cupertino, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Cupertino requires property owners to keep grass and weeds below six inches in height for fire safety under its weed abatement program (Municipal Code Chapter 9.08). Non-compliant parcels are cleared by the County at the owner's expense, added to the property tax bill.
Cupertino: Weeds and Grass Over 6 Inches Are Abated
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
In Cupertino, severe pruning of a protected tree, meaning removal of more than one-fourth of its leaf and stem area in any twelve months, is legally treated as a tree removal and requires a permit under Municipal Code Chapter 14.18. Routine light pruning of unprotected trees needs no permit.
Cupertino: Severe Pruning of Protected Trees Needs a Permit
Heavy RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Cupertino prohibits removing any protected tree, heritage or specimen, without first obtaining a tree removal permit under Municipal Code Chapter 14.18. Specimen species like native oaks are protected at ten inches trunk diameter, and removal usually requires planting replacement trees.
Cupertino: Protected Tree Removal Requires a City Permit
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Cupertino declares overgrown weeds and dry brush a fire nuisance under Municipal Code Chapter 9.08, enforced through a Santa Clara County weed abatement program. Vegetation must be under six inches by April 30, or the County clears it and bills the owner through the tax roll.
Cupertino: Overgrown Weeds Abated as a Fire Nuisance
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Cupertino has permanent water-waste prohibitions under Municipal Code Chapter 15.32, banning runoff, hosing pavement, and un-nozzled hoses. Water is supplied by San Jose Water Company, California Water Service, and the City, and any drought watering-day limits are set by those providers, not the City.
Cupertino: Permanent Water-Waste Rules; Provider Sets Watering Days
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Cupertino places no ban on residential rainwater harvesting and actively encourages on-site rainwater and graywater capture in its Water-Efficient Landscape and Green Stormwater programs. California law lets homeowners collect rooftop rainwater without a water right.
Cupertino: Rainwater Harvesting Allowed and Encouraged
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Cupertino's Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Municipal Code Chapter 14.15) implements California's MWELO and caps turf at 25% of landscape area, favoring climate-appropriate, low-water plants. Native and drought-tolerant species are the practical way to meet the water budget and are encouraged citywide.
Cupertino: Water-Efficient Plants Required Under WELO
Some RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Artificial turf is not counted as drought-tolerant landscaping in California, and under SB 676 (Government Code 53087.7) cities like Cupertino may regulate synthetic grass. Cupertino's Water-Efficient Landscape Ordinance limits and encourages living, water-wise plantings over synthetic turf.
Cupertino: Artificial Turf May Be Regulated, Not a Living Plant
Some RestrictionsComposting
Under California's SB 1383, Cupertino residents and businesses must keep food scraps and yard trimmings out of the trash and use Recology South Bay's organics collection. Backyard composting is allowed as a supplement, provided the pile does not become a nuisance.
Cupertino: Organics Diversion Required; Backyard Composting Allowed
Some RestrictionsLooking for Santa Clara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Cupertino city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Santa Clara County →