Landscaping Rules in Los Banos, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Los Banos, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Property owners bordering a Los Banos street must trim trees so branches do not block streetlights, sidewalks, traffic signs or intersection sightlines under § 10-1.07. The Public Works Director can inspect and order trimming or removal of hazardous overgrowth under § 10-1.15.
Los Banos Street Tree Clearance Requirements
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code §§ 10-1.07(a), 10-1.15(a)
(a) Any person, firm, or corporation owning or occupying real property bordering on any street where trees have branches, limbs, trunks or other parts projecting into the public right-of-way shall prune such trees or keep them trimmed in such a manner that they will not obstruct or shade streetlights, obstruct or interfere with the passage of pedestrians on sidewalks, obstruct the vision of tra...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Los Banos requires no permit to remove an ordinary private tree, but removing or heavily pruning a City-designated Heritage Tree is unlawful without a Public Works Director permit under § 10-1.09(e)-(f), backed by civil penalties up to $5,000 per tree.
Los Banos Heritage Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 10-1.09(e)-(f)
Removal and major pruning of Heritage Trees prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to remove, or cause to be removed any Heritage Tree from any parcel of property in the City, or prune more than 1/4 of the branches or roots within a 12 month period, without obtaining a permit; provided, that in case of emergency, when a tree is imminently hazardous or dangerous to life or property, it may be...
Weed Ordinances
Los Banos caps grass and weeds at eight inches above ground level on any property under § 10-3.111(a)(6). Property owners face civil penalties up to $2,500 per day or misdemeanor prosecution for letting nuisance vegetation exceed that limit.
Los Banos Maximum Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 10-3.111(a)(6); § 10-3.112
As used in this section, "nuisance vegetation" means any of the following: ... (6) Overgrown vegetation, whether living, dormant, dead, cultured or uncultured, which encroaches into the public right-of-way or renders that right-of-way unsafe by blocking vision or can otherwise be hazardous to pedestrian or vehicular traffic or which is capable of harboring insects, rats, mice, or other vermin, ...
Water Restrictions
Los Banos bans daytime lawn and landscape watering with City water year-round. Overhead irrigation is unlawful between 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. every day, and outside that window it is limited to three specific days a week depending on whether a house is on the even or odd side of the street, with no watering at all on Monday.
Los Banos Irrigation Days and Hours Rule
Significant RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-6.03.10(a)(2)
Overhead irrigation shall be restricted to certain days and times at all times during the year. It is unlawful for any person to use City supplied water for irrigation of lawn, landscaping, et cetera, between the hours of 11:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on any day of the week, year round. Usage of water for the aforesaid purposes shall be restricted year round to Sun-day, Wednesday, and Friday before ...
Rainwater Harvesting
Los Banos encourages, but does not mandate, rainwater harvesting under its water efficient landscape ordinance. Section 9-6.03.16 recommends capture and infiltration measures like rain gardens and cisterns for new and rehabilitated landscape projects, leaving the choice to the applicant.
Los Banos Rainwater Harvesting and Stormwater Retention
Few RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-6.03.16
(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 on-site rainwater retention and infiltration are encouraged. ... (d) It is strongly recommended that landscape areas be designed for c...
Native Plants
Los Banos does not mandate native plants, but its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance names protecting native species and choosing local native trees, turf and shrubs as accepted ways to hit the required water budget on new and rehabilitated landscapes over 500 square feet. Developers can pick any plant palette they like, as long as total water use stays under the calculated allowance.
Los Banos Native Plant Landscaping Standard
Few RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-6.03.06(a)(1)(A)(i)-(ii)
Any plant may be selected for the landscape, providing the estimated total water use in the landscape area does not exceed the maximum applied water allowance. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following: ... Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation; ... Selection of water-conserving plant tree and turf species, especially local nat...
Composting
Los Banos does not set backyard bin standards for household composting. Instead, its landscape ordinance requires new and rehabilitated landscape installations to work at least four cubic yards of compost per 1,000 square feet into the top six inches of soil before planting, unless the soil already tests organic-rich.
Los Banos Landscape Compost Incorporation Rule
Some RestrictionsLos Banos Municipal Code § 9-6.03.06(a)(3)(C)
For landscape installations, compost at a rate of a minimum of four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet of permeable area shall be incorporated to a depth of six (6″) inches into the soil. Soils with greater than 6% organic matter in the top six (6″) inches of soil are exempt from adding compost and tilling.