Landscaping Rules in Dublin, CA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Dublin, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Dublin Municipal Code Chapter 5.70 does not set a numeric grass-height limit. Instead it prohibits owners from letting weeds and refuse accumulate, and lets the City Council declare overgrown weeds a public nuisance subject to abatement. "Weeds" takes the definition in California Government Code Section 39561.5.
Dublin Grass and Weed Height Rules
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Private-property owners must keep tree clearance of 8 feet above sidewalks and 16 feet above streets on the street side (DMC 7.56.030). Trimming a city street tree requires an encroachment permit (DMC 7.56.060), though small work under 2 inches diameter or under 10% of canopy is exempt.
Dublin Tree Trimming Rules
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a designated heritage tree requires a permit from the Community Development Director under DMC 5.60.050(a). Removing a city street tree requires an encroachment permit (DMC 7.56.050). Ordinary private trees that are not heritage trees generally do not need a city permit.
Dublin Tree Removal Rules
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
DMC Chapter 5.70 (Weeds and Refuse) lets the City Council declare overgrown weeds and accumulated refuse a public nuisance and order abatement after notice and a hearing. "Weeds" follows California Government Code Section 39561.5. Owners must clear their lot plus the abutting half of adjacent streets/alleys.
Dublin Weed Ordinance
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Most Dublin water customers are served by the Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD). DSRSD maintains permanent water-waste prohibitions: no hosing down hard surfaces, no washing vehicles without a shut-off nozzle, no irrigation that causes runoff, and no landscape irrigation within 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
Dublin Water Use Restrictions
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
California's Rainwater Capture Act (AB 1750) lets residents install rain barrels and rainwater-capture systems, and no permit is required for a residential rain barrel system meeting building standards. Dublin's water-efficient landscape rules (DMC Ch. 8.88) even credit on-site captured rainwater toward landscape water requirements.
Dublin Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Dublin's landscaping code encourages, not restricts, native plants: DMC 8.72.040 requires that landscape design and construction emphasize drought-tolerant and/or native species whenever possible. All landscaping must also conform to the Water-Efficient Landscaping Regulations (DMC Ch. 8.88), which California Civil Code Section 4735 backs by barring HOAs from blocking low-water plants.
Dublin Native Plant Landscaping Rules
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Dublin's Municipal Code has no citywide ban on residential artificial turf, and California Civil Code Section 4735 bars HOAs from prohibiting artificial turf or other synthetic grass surfaces. New permitted landscape projects must still meet the City's Water-Efficient Landscaping Regulations (DMC Ch. 8.88) and design standards.
Dublin Artificial Turf Rules
Some RestrictionsComposting
Under California SB 1383, Dublin residents must keep organic waste out of the landfill by using curbside organics service. Hauler Amador Valley Industries (AVI) collects food scraps, food-soiled paper, and plant debris in the green compost cart; the program is implemented through Alameda County's Organics Reduction and Recycling Ordinance.
Dublin Composting and Organics Rules
Some RestrictionsLooking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Dublin city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Alameda County →