Landscaping Rules in Lincoln, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Lincoln, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Lincoln treats overgrown weeds, dry grass and rank vegetation as a public nuisance subject to abatement under the city's Health and Safety title and the California Government Code weed abatement procedure (Gov. Code 39501 et seq.) administered locally each spring.
Grass and weed height: nuisance abatement under Title 8
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Trees in the public right-of-way and in city parks are maintained by the City of Lincoln Public Services Department; private property owners must keep their trees pruned back from sidewalks, streets and traffic signs as a nuisance under Title 8 and Title 12 of the Lincoln Municipal Code.
Tree trimming and removal: street trees in right-of-way regulated by Public Works
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Lincoln treats dry weeds, rank vegetation and combustible undergrowth as a public nuisance subject to mandatory abatement during fire season under California Government Code 39501-39588 and Title 8 of the Lincoln Municipal Code.
Weed abatement: annual fire-season program under Gov. Code 39501
Heavy RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Lincoln Municipal Code prohibits watering lawns or gardens from an open hose without a shut-off nozzle (LMC 13.04.420), bars unreasonable water runoff onto gutters or pavement (LMC 13.04.440), and authorizes the city to limit irrigation hours during shortages (LMC 13.04.430).
Outdoor watering: spray nozzle required, no runoff (LMC 13.04.420 & 13.04.440)
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Capturing rainwater from rooftops for non-potable landscape use is legal in Lincoln without a water-rights permit under the California Rainwater Capture Act (Water Code 10574). Larger cisterns and any plumbing tie-in must comply with the California Plumbing Code adopted in Lincoln Municipal Code Title 15.
Rainwater harvesting: legal under California Rainwater Capture Act of 2012
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Lincoln residents have a state-law right to install drought-tolerant and California native landscapes; HOAs and the city cannot prohibit them under Civil Code 4735, and any new landscape over 500 sq ft must meet the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).
Native and drought-tolerant plants protected by Civil Code 4735 and MWELO
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Artificial turf is a permitted landscaping material in Lincoln. California Civil Code 4735 expressly bars HOAs from prohibiting artificial turf in single-family yards, and the city has no overlay ordinance restricting it.
Artificial turf: protected from HOA bans under Civil Code 4735
Few RestrictionsLooking for Placer County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lincoln city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Placer County →