Landscaping Rules in Glendale, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Glendale, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Glendale's property maintenance code requires yards to be kept free of excessive weeds, overgrown vegetation, and dead plant material. The Code Compliance division enforces standards to maintain neighborhood appearance and prevent fire hazards.
Glendale Grass & Lawn Maintenance Rules
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Glendale requires property owners to maintain trees that overhang public rights-of-way. Minimum clearance is 8 feet over sidewalks and 14 feet over streets. City-maintained trees require authorization before any trimming.
Glendale Tree Trimming & Protection Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space — Tree and Vegetation Maintenance in State Responsibility Areas)
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...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Glendale may require permits for removal of significant trees on private property. Trees in the public right-of-way are protected. The city's tree preservation provisions aim to maintain the urban canopy, especially in hillside zones.
Glendale Tree Removal Regulations
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Glendale's Code Compliance program requires properties to be maintained free of excessive weeds and overgrown vegetation. Violations are addressed through the Community Development Department. Particularly strict enforcement in fire hazard zones.
Glendale Weed Abatement Ordinance
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agricultural Code Sec. 5004 (Definition of "Noxious Weed")
“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 purposes of p...
Water Restrictions
Glendale follows state and regional water conservation mandates. Outdoor watering is restricted to specific days and times under the city's Water Conservation Ordinance. Glendale Water & Power enforces restrictions and offers rebates for low-water landscaping.
Glendale Water Conservation Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsGlendale Water & Power — Mandatory Water Conservation Ordinance (Phase III)
Keep Conserving Water, Glendale: It's a California Way of Life Being water conscious in and around our homes, businesses, schools and landscapes is part of our So Cal way of life. We've been lucky enough to get rain in Glendale lately, but that doesn't mean the water supply shortage is over. GWP will remain in Phase III of the Mandatory Water Conservation Ordinance, which limits outside waterin...
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in California. No permit required for rain barrels. Glendale Water & Power may offer rebates for rainwater capture systems consistent with state water conservation goals.
Glendale Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsCal. AB 1750 (2012) — Rainwater Capture Act (Cal. Water Code Part 2.4, Sec. 10570 et seq.)
This bill would enact the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, which would provide that use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit from the state board. (2) Existing law, the Contractors’ State License Law, creates the Contractors’ State License Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs and provides for the licensing and regulation of contractors.
Native Plants
Glendale encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping consistent with MWELO and its Indigenous Tree Ordinance. The city cannot prohibit drought-tolerant landscaping per CA Gov Code 65595.
Glendale Native Plant & Xeriscape Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) — Climate-Adapted Plants and Local Adoption Mandate
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
Artificial turf is permitted in Glendale as a drought-tolerant alternative. CA Gov Code 65595 prohibits cities from banning drought-tolerant landscaping. Installation should comply with MWELO standards.
Glendale Artificial Turf Regulations
Few RestrictionsCal. Civil Code Sec. 4735 (HOA Landscaping — Artificial Turf and Low-Water Plant Protections)
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...
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Glendale city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Los Angeles County →