Landscaping Rules in Lodi, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Lodi, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Lodi's Community Improvement Division treats grass or weeds clearly exceeding 12 inches in height as a public-nuisance violation. Sporadic weeds between routine mowings do not trigger enforcement.
Grass and weeds over 12 inches are a code violation
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Lodi requires private trees to be trimmed so branches clear public sidewalks by at least 10 feet and the public street by at least 13 feet. Trees in the public right-of-way may only be removed or significantly altered with a Public Works encroachment permit.
10-foot sidewalk and 13-foot street clearance required; ROW trees need permit
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Street trees in Lodi require an encroachment permit from Public Works for removal. Removal is allowed for fruit-causing nuisance, driveway construction, city projects, or repeated utility/sidewalk damage. Private trees on private property generally do not require a city permit for removal.
Lodi Tree Removal Regulations
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Lodi treats overgrown weeds, dead vegetation, and rank growth on private property as a public nuisance under Title 8 of the Municipal Code. Enforcement is by the Community Improvement Division and follows the City's administrative-abatement process.
Weeds enforced as a public nuisance under Title 8
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 5004
5004. “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 purpose...
Water Restrictions
Under the Lodi Water Conservation Ordinance (LMC Chapter 13.08), outdoor watering is allowed only on assigned days based on address parity, never on Mondays, and never between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Mandatory odd/even watering days with no irrigation 10am-6pm
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Lodi has no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater harvesting. California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750) and Water Code section 10574 authorize property owners to collect rooftop rainwater for non-potable use without a state water-right permit, and the California Plumbing Code exempts most simple rain barrels from building-permit requirements.
Rooftop rainwater capture allowed without a state water-right permit
Few RestrictionsCal. Water Code § 10574 (AB 1750, Rainwater Capture Act of 2012)
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. Existing law authorizes a landscape c...
Native Plants
Lodi has adopted the State's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) in LMC Chapter 17.30. There is no requirement to plant natives, but new and rehabilitated landscapes must meet a strict water budget that effectively favors native and low-water plants, and turf is capped at 25% of landscape area for residential projects.
MWELO incentivizes low-water and native plantings for new landscaping
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Lodi does not prohibit artificial turf on private residential property. State law (Government Code §53087.7 and Civil Code §4735) bars cities and HOAs from banning synthetic grass installed for water conservation. New non-functional turf on commercial/public sites must be replaced or removed under AB 1572 starting in 2027-2029.
Artificial turf allowed and protected on residential property
Few RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code § 4735
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 San Joaquin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Lodi city rules.
Landscaping Rules in San Joaquin County →