Landscaping Rules in Fremont, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Fremont, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Fremont protects heritage, native oaks, and street trees. Homeowners can trim private trees but must not harm the tree or encroach on neighbor property without consent.
Fremont Tree Trimming Rules
Light RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space - Vegetation and Tree Maintenance Around Structures)
(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 shall con...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
No one may remove, damage, or relocate a protected private tree in Fremont without a landscape architect's permit, posted visibly on the lot during the work. Protected trees include any tree 18 inches DBH or larger and several smaller categories.
Fremont Protected Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 18.215.040
No person shall remove, damage or relocate a private tree or any landmark tree, whether publicly or privately owned, except as follows: (a) When authorized by a permit issued by the landscape architect, which permit shall, while any person is removing or damaging the subject tree, be posted on the lot by the applicant so as to be prominently visible from the street.
Weed Ordinances
Fremont Municipal Code Section 8.25.030 requires every property owner, agent, lessee or occupant to keep a parcel, improved or unimproved, free of weeds, grass, rubbish and other nuisance material that could endanger neighboring property or offend nearby residents. The city manager, acting as enforcement officer under Chapter 8.25, can order cleanup and pursue abatement under Chapter 8.60's citation and lien procedures.
Fremont Weed and Nuisance Removal Duty
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.25.030 (Duty of Owner to Keep Premises Clean)
It shall be the duty of the property owner, agent, lessee or other person occupying or having charge or control of any parcel of land, improved or unimproved, to keep such parcel of land free from all nuisances thereon, including, but not limited to, grass, weeds, tin cans, rubbish, refuse and waste material of any kind, and other insanitary substances or objects which may endanger or injure ne...
Rainwater Harvesting
Fremont allows rainwater barrels and cisterns for landscape irrigation. Barrels up to 5,000 gallons do not need a permit. ACWD offers rebates for qualifying systems.
Fremont Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Water Code Sections 10570-10574 (AB 1750)
AB-1750 Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Chapter 537) SEC. 2. Part 2.4 (commencing with Section 10570) is added to Division 6 of the Water Code, to read: PART 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 10570. This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. 10572. Nothing in this part shall be construed to do any of the following: (a) Alter or impair any existing right...
Native Plants
Fremont encourages California native and Bay-Friendly landscaping through rebates and simplified permits. Native oak preservation applies. ACWD Bay Save lawn conversion programs available.
Fremont Native Plant Landscaping
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735
Civil Code - CIV, Section 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) Prohibit...
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is allowed in Fremont backyards and increasingly in front yards. AB 1572 incentivizes replacement of non-functional grass. HOA bans on turf are void under CA law.
Fremont Artificial Turf Rules
Light RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735
Civil Code - CIV, Section 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) Prohibit...
Composting
Fremont lets residents home-compost freely, but any community-scale composting site needs full federal, state, county and city permits under Municipal Code Sec. 8.40.410. Sites must control odor, pests, fire risk and traffic, or the operation is deemed a public nuisance subject to abatement.
Fremont Community Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsFremont, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.40.410 (Community Composting)
No person shall operate a community composting site without all applicable federal, state, county, and/or city permits and authorizations. Any person operating a community composting site must comply with all regulations including those related to air quality, water quality, odor reduction, and traffic congestion, in order to prevent actual or potential risk to public health and safety or the e...
Looking for Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Fremont city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Alameda County →