Landscaping Rules in Hemet, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Hemet, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Hemet City Code § 66-97(a) makes every property owner or occupant responsible for trimming private trees that overhang a street or alley to a clearance of at least 15 feet, or at least 7 feet where the branches only extend over the sidewalk, and for keeping that space clear of debris.
Hemet Street Tree Clearance Trimming Duty
Some RestrictionsHemet City Code § 66-97
(a)Notwithstanding any other provisions of this article, it is hereby made the duty of every person owning or occupying any land or lots of land within the city to keep all private trees extending over any street or alley trimmed up to a height of not less than 15 feet, except that a height of not less than seven feet shall be permitted over the sidewalk area, and also to keep such space clear ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
A Hemet property owner who wants to remove the street tree abutting their property must apply to the board of park commissioners, which weighs owner hardship against the tree's condition before authorizing removal.
Hemet Street Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsHemet City Code § 66-95(d)
If a property owner desires to remove a tree from the right-of-way or easement abutting his property, he or his authorized agent shall make application to the board of park commissioners. The board of park commissioners shall determine whether or not such tree is required to be retained in order to preserve the intent and purpose of the street tree plan. In making its determination, the board o...
Weed Ordinances
Hemet treats overgrown grass as a public nuisance under its citywide abatement ordinance. Lawns with grass taller than six inches are listed by name as a nuisance condition, alongside hedges, trees, and other vegetation left unmowed, untrimmed, or otherwise unkempt to the point of hurting neighboring property values. The rule applies citywide to any real property, and the city can order it fixed or abate it itself.
Hemet Lawn Grass Height Limit: Six Inches
Some RestrictionsHemet City Code § 30-32.1(a)(18)b.1
(18)Overgrown vegetation, including, but not limited to, any one of the following:a.Vegetation likely to harbor, or promote the presence of, rats, vermin and/or insects.b.Vegetation causing detriment to neighboring properties, or that is out of conformity with neighboring community standards to such an extent as to result in, or contribute to, a diminution of property values, including, but not...
Water Restrictions
Hemet bans landscape irrigation with potable water outside the hours of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. year-round, drought or no drought. City Code § 82-133 also bans unattended hose watering, watering within 48 hours of a half-inch rain, and daytime hosing of driveways.
Hemet Landscape Watering Hours Rule
Some RestrictionsHemet City Code § 82-133(3), (4), (8)
The following water efficiency requirements shall continuously apply to all existing customers regardless of city or statewide drought status: ... (3) Property owners are only allowed to irrigate landscape between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. This provision does not apply when: a. Manually watering landscape with a hose containing a positive shut-off device attached. b. During the estab...
Native Plants
Hemet requires visible front and side yards on existing single-family lots to be landscaped, but its code names drought-tolerant plants and groundcover as acceptable materials rather than mandating turf grass.
Hemet Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Rule
Light RestrictionsHemet City Code § 90-317(c)(3)
(c)Landscaping on existing single-family residential properties is subject to the following minimum standards:(1)All areas in the front or side yard setback visible from the public right-of-way and not covered by structures, driveways, or hardscape shall be landscaped.(2)Parkways, located between the curb and the sidewalk, are the responsibility of the property owner and shall be landscaped and...
Artificial Turf
On existing single-family lots, Hemet requires that visible front and side yard areas not covered by structures, driveways, or hardscape be landscaped, but City Code § 90-317(c) lets artificial turf satisfy that duty alongside drought-tolerant plants, decorative rock, bark, or decomposed granite.
Hemet Artificial Turf Yard Landscaping Rule
Light RestrictionsHemet City Code § 90-317(c)
(c)Landscaping on existing single-family residential properties is subject to the following minimum standards:(1)All areas in the front or side yard setback visible from the public right-of-way and not covered by structures, driveways, or hardscape shall be landscaped.(2)Parkways, located between the curb and the sidewalk, are the responsibility of the property owner and shall be landscaped and...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Hemet city rules.
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