Landscaping Rules in Los Angeles, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Street trees are maintained by StreetsLA Urban Forestry Division and residents may not trim or remove them without authorization. Private tree trimming does not require a permit unless the tree is a protected species under LAMC 46.00. Protected species include CA Live Oak, Southern CA Black Walnut, Western Sycamore, and CA Bay. Improper trimming of a protected tree can constitute removal under the ordinance.
Los Angeles Protected Tree Ordinance
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space — Vegetation Management Around Structures)
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
In any subdivision proceeding, a protected tree may not be removed or relocated without Advisory Agency approval in consultation with the City's Chief Forester, and no subdivision application is complete without a tree expert report evaluating all protected trees on site. When removal is approved, the owner must replace each protected tree with at least two 15-gallon protected-variety trees and post a bond guaranteeing their survival for three years.
Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits
Significant RestrictionsLAMC § 17.05.R (Protected Tree Regulations); § 17.06.C (Protected Tree Reports for Tentative Tract Maps), Art. 7 (Division of Land Regulations)
R. Protected Tree Regulations. No protected tree may be relocated or removed except as provided in this Article or Article 6 (Preservation of Protected Trees) of Chapter 4 (Public Welfare) of this Code. SEC. 17.06. C. Protected Tree Reports for Tentative Tract Maps. No application for a tentative tract map approval for a subdivision where a protected tree is located shall be considered com...
Weed Ordinances
Los Angeles treats overgrown weeds and grass as a public nuisance under LAMC § 58.02. Once the Bureau of Street Services issues notice, owners who don't clear the growth face a misdemeanor charge and escalating administrative fines, and the City can abate the property itself and bill the owner.
Los Angeles Weed and Grass Nuisance Law
Significant RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) § 58.02
A. The City Council finds that weeds (as defined in Article 2, Chapter 13, Part 2, Division 3 or Title 4, commencing at Section 39560 of the Government Code of the State of California), rubbish and other material dangerous or injurious to neighboring property or to the health or safety of residents of the vicinity constitute a public nuisance. B. Every owner of any parcel of land or premises wh...
Water Restrictions
All LADWP customers are permanently prohibited from irrigating between 9 am and 4 pm, during rain, or within 48 hours after rain. Spray-head sprinklers are capped at 10 minutes per station per day; standard rotors at 15 minutes per cycle with a 2-cycle daily maximum.
Water: Lawn Watering Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsLAMC § 121.08(A)
A. PHASE I – Prohibited Uses Applicable to All Customers. 6. No Customer of the Department shall irrigate during periods of rain and within 48 hours after a measurable rain event. 7. No Customer of the Department shall water or irrigate lawn, landscape or other vegetated areas between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. During these hours, public and private golf course greens and tees...
Rainwater Harvesting
Los Angeles regulates rainwater harvesting through its own Plumbing Code rather than a standalone ordinance. LAMC § 94.1600.0 adopts Chapter 16 of the California Plumbing Code, Nonpotable Rainwater Catchment Systems, by reference, so any cistern, rain barrel network, or catchment system tied into a building's plumbing must meet those state design and installation standards as the enforceable city law.
Los Angeles Rainwater Catchment Systems Follow State Plumbing Code
Light RestrictionsLos Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC) § 94.1600.0 (Plumbing Code, Div. 16); CALGreen Appendix § A4.304.1
SEC. 94.1600.0. BASIC PROVISIONS. (Amended by Ord. No. 187,719, Eff. 1/23/23.) Chapter 16 of the CPC is adopted by reference. ... A4.304.1 Rainwater catchment systems. An approved rainwater catchment system is designed and installed to use rainwater generated by at least 65% of the available roof area. Rainwater catchment systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the California...
Native Plants
Los Angeles actively encourages native plant landscaping through LADWP rebate programs. The turf replacement program offers up to $5 per square foot for converting lawns to California Friendly native landscapes. CA Government Code 65595 prohibits cities from banning drought-tolerant landscaping. MWELO applies to new landscapes over 500 sq ft requiring water-efficient design.
Los Angeles Native Plant & Xeriscape Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) (encourages drought-tolerant/native plantings)
The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Usually, local agencies that adopt WELOs create a more stringent ordinance than MWELO. The purpose ...
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is permitted in Los Angeles but LADWP turf replacement rebates discourage it as a lawn substitute, preferring living native plants. Synthetic turf does not qualify for the full rebate amount. There are no LAMC provisions banning artificial turf, but LADWP program guidelines limit synthetic materials and require incorporating living plants in rebate-eligible projects.
Los Angeles Artificial Turf Regulations
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 4735 (HOA Cannot Prohibit Artificial Turf / Low-Water Landscaping)
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...
Composting
Los Angeles allows backyard composting at any single-family home under LAMC §66.27, requires rodent-resistant containers, and offers discounted compost and worm bins through LA Sanitation's Backyard Composting Program tied to SB-1383 organics diversion goals.
LA Encourages Backyard Composting and Subsidizes Bins
Some RestrictionsSB 1383 (2016) — Public Resources Code Sec. 42652.5 (Mandatory Organic Waste / Composting Program)
42652.5. (a) The department, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, shall adopt regulations to achieve the organic waste reduction goals for 2020 and 2025 established in Section 39730.6 of the Health and Safety Code. The regulations shall comply with all of the following: (1) May require local jurisdictions to impose requirements on generators or other relevant entities within thei...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.
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