Landscaping Rules in Hanford, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Hanford, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Hanford property owners must trim street trees to keep at least eight feet of vertical clearance over sidewalks and 14 feet over the roadway, per Municipal Code § 12.12.300.
Hanford Street Tree Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsHanford Municipal Code § 12.12.300(C)(2)
Provide a minimum of eight foot vertical pedestrian clearance from the top of the sidewalk and a minimum 14 foot vertical vehicular clearance from the top of pavement, to any part of a street tree; provided however, each street tree shall be trimmed so that the vertical clearance around the entire tree is uniform and consistent; 3. Provide adequate clearance for unobstructed pedestrian and v...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Hanford requires a director-issued permit before pruning a heritage tree or removing any heritage or street tree, including construction work that could affect a protected tree's critical root zone.
Hanford Heritage & Street Tree Permit
Significant RestrictionsHanford Municipal Code § 12.12.210
Except as provided in this section, it is unlawful for any person to prune or remove any heritage tree or remove a street tree, or do any construction work or activity that may affect the critical root zone of a heritage or street tree, without a permit issued by the director. B. Each permit to prune or remove a heritage or street tree shall contain the following information: 1. Name of p...
Weed Ordinances
Hanford treats un-mowed weeds, grass, and rank overgrowth that create a fire hazard, unsightly appearance, or harborage for vermin as a public nuisance, and owners, tenants, and occupants can all be held responsible for the property's upkeep.
Hanford Weeds and Overgrowth Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsHanford Municipal Code § 17.50.200(D)
D. Real property or structures or improvements thereon not properly maintained so as to constitute a fire hazard by reason of weeds, grass, rank overgrowth, or accumulations of debris or which could harbor rats or other vermin, create unsightly appearance, or create conditions which are detrimental to neighboring properties; E. Broken windows or other structural defects in the real propert...
Water Restrictions
Hanford limits landscape irrigation to two assigned days a week by address parity and bans all sprinkling between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. during daylight saving time, with escalating fines for repeat violations.
Hanford Odd-Even Lawn Watering Days
Some RestrictionsHanford Municipal Code § 13.04.150(A)
In the use of water supplied by the city no person shall: Sprinkle, irrigate or otherwise apply water to any yard, ground, landscaping, or vegetation except on the following designated days: properties with even-numbered addresses, Tuesday and Saturday, and properties with odd-numbered addresses, Wednesday and Sunday; or ... Sprinkle, irrigate or otherwise apply water to any yard, ground, lands...
Rainwater Harvesting
Hanford's water-efficient landscape ordinance treats rain gardens and cisterns as encouraged, not mandatory. Hanford Municipal Code § 12.08.170(C) recommends rainwater-capture features for infiltration and onsite storage, but Chapter 12.08 requires no property owner to install one; if you do, your permitted landscape plan has to show it.
Hanford Rainwater Harvesting & Cistern Rules
Few RestrictionsHanford Municipal Code § 12.08.170
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 onsite retention and infiltration are encouraged. B. Project applicants shall refer to the city or regional water quality control board...
Native Plants
New Hanford, California development must design landscaping around drought-tolerant, climate-appropriate plant species under the city's Chapter 17.52 landscape standards, on top of state water-efficiency rules.
Hanford Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Rule
Light RestrictionsHanford Municipal Code § 17.52.060(B)(5)
Plant Materials. Plant materials shall be selected and installed in accordance with the following requirements: 1. The size of 10% of the trees to be planted shall be 24 inch box or larger. The remaining trees shall be sized 15 gallons or larger. 2. The size of 70% of plants and shrubs shall be at five gallon or larger. The remaining plants and shrubs shall be sized one gallon or larger. ...
Artificial Turf
Hanford's Low Density Residential Zones chapter lets homeowners landscape up to 100% of visible yard and setback areas with artificial turf instead of live plants. Municipal Code § 17.10.160(B) treats artificial turf and other permeable surfaces as an equal alternative to live plant materials, with no separate turf-specific permit.
Hanford Allows 100% Artificial Turf in Yards
Few RestrictionsHanford Municipal Code § 17.10.160(A)-(D)
§ 17.10.160. Landscaping. A. Landscaping shall be provided for each use as prescribed in Section 17.52 Landscape Standards. B. Except for driveways and approved parking areas, all yard areas and setback areas visible from the street(s) shall be landscaped with live plant materials and ornamentation common to the Hanford area or up to 100% of the yard and setback area may be landscaped with arti...
Composting
Hanford's solid-waste code bans dumping trash anywhere but a collection container, but it specifically carves out an exemption letting residents compost their own lawn and garden trimmings.
Hanford Yard Waste Composting Rule
Few RestrictionsHanford Municipal Code § 13.12.180(A)
It is a violation for any person to bury solid waste at any place within the city, or to keep, place or deposit solid waste on any public or private grounds or premises whatsoever, except in containers or receptacles for collection upon premises owned, occupied or under possession and control of such person; provided, however, that lawn and garden trimmings may be composted. Such violations sha...
Looking for Kings County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hanford city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Kings County →