Landscaping Rules in Davis, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Davis, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Davis declares low-hanging vegetation over sidewalks and bike paths a public nuisance below eight feet, and over traffic lanes below fourteen feet, along with any private tree overhanging and endangering use of a street. The director can order pruning to restore clearance.
Davis Tree Clearance Over Streets, Paths
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 37.06.020(f)
Any plant that impedes sidewalks and bike paths, or by being lower than eight feet over pedestrian and bike paths, or any plant which is lower than fourteen feet over a traffic lane.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Davis bars anyone but the city director from removing a city tree or a private/protected tree without a permit. Removal can only be approved on specific findings such as disease, safety risk, or an invasive species; ordinary preference for a different landscaping plan is not enough.
Davis Protected Tree Removal Permit Rule
Significant RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 37.02.070(c)
The director shall only grant approval of a city tree permit for tree removal if the director can make one or more of the following findings: (1) The tree is damaged, diseased or declining in health; and its physical condition at time of evaluation cannot be remedied without the loss of more than fifty percent of the total canopy.
Weed Ordinances
Davis makes it a public nuisance to violate the state weed and rubbish abatement laws, Government Code Sections 39501 and 39560, on any property in the city. Municipal Code Section 23.01.030(6) folds that state duty into the local nuisance ordinance so the code compliance administrator can cite and abate it directly.
Davis Weed and Rubbish Abatement Rule
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 23.01.030(6)
(6) Any condition in violation of the weed and rubbish abatement laws defined at Government Code Sections 39501 et seq., and 39560 et seq., as enacted or hereafter amended and enforced by city ordinance and resolutions;
Water Restrictions
Davis bars daytime landscape watering between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. except by hand-held hose or drip irrigation, and bans irrigating turf within 48 hours after a quarter inch of rain. These are permanent Shortage Level 1 rules under the city's Water Shortage Contingency Plan, not a drought-only measure.
Davis Permanent Landscape Watering Rules
Some RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 39.02.045(a)(2)
No landscape watering between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. except with a hand-held container or hose with a shut-off nozzle, or for very short periods when adjusting a sprinkler system. This restriction does not apply to landscape irrigation using a low volume irrigation system (such as drip irrigation and micro-irrigation) designed to apply small volumes of water slowly at or near the root zone of ...
Rainwater Harvesting
Davis encourages, but does not mandate, rain gardens, cisterns, and other rainwater-capture landscape features under its Water Efficient Landscaping ordinance, while separately requiring covered projects to meet the city's stormwater runoff ordinance.
Davis Rules on Rainwater Capture Features
Light RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 40.42.180
(a) Stormwater management practices minimize runoff and increase infiltration which recharges groundwater and improves water quality. Implementing stormwater best management practices into the landscape and grading design plans to minimize runoff and to increase on-site retention and infiltration are encouraged. (b) Projects shall comply with applicable city requirements for stormwater best man...
Native Plants
Davis's water-efficient landscaping ordinance, triggered on projects with 2,500 square feet or more of new or rehabilitated landscape, directs applicants to protect and preserve native species under Davis Municipal Code § 40.42.090(a)(1)(A), while discouraging invasive or noxious plants under § 40.42.090(a)(1)(F). Native selection is recommended, not mandatory, so long as the design meets the project's water budget.
Davis Water-Efficient Landscape Native Plant Standards
Light RestrictionsDavis Municipal Code § 40.42.090(a)(1)(A), (F) (Landscape Design Plan, Plant Material)
(1) Plant Material. (A) Any plant may be selected for the landscape, providing the estimated total water use in the landscape area does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance. To encourage the efficient use of water, the following is highly recommended: i. Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation ... (F) The use of invasive and/or noxious plant species is str...
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