Landscaping Rules in Menifee, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Menifee, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Menifee's code does not set a specific inch-height limit for residential lawn grass. Instead, overgrown or unmaintained vegetation is regulated as a prohibited public nuisance under MMC 11.20.020, and dry grass and weeds on unimproved parcels fall under the city's annual fire-season Weed Abatement Program, which can require 100-foot cleared strips next to structures and roadways.
No numeric grass cap; overgrowth is a nuisance/fire issue
Some RestrictionsCity of Menifee Weed Abatement Program (implementing Riverside County Ordinance No. 695, adopted by the City of Menifee)
Weed Abatement must be completed 30 days after the date on the initial Notice to Abate. ... You shall keep clear a 100-foot wide strip where you are adjacent to a parcel with a structure. ... You shall keep clear a 100-foot wide strip where you are adjacent to any roadway. ... Any properties found to be non-compliant will be issued an administrative citation and, if necessary, forced abatement ...
Tree Trimming
Menifee's official Landscape Standards prohibit tree topping and stub cuts, cap pruning at 25 percent of a tree's foliage, and require trees to be pruned for adequate vertical clearance over sidewalks and streets. Separately, MMC 11.20.020 makes vegetation that overhangs or obstructs any public sidewalk, street, or right-of-way a prohibited public nuisance that the owner must trim.
Tree pruning standards; no topping, 25% foliage cap
Some RestrictionsCity of Menifee Landscape Standards, Section 8 (Tree Maintenance, 1.1 Pruning)
a. Trees shall be pruned for safety and appearance, and to encourage sound structure, healthy growth, and good form. Pruning shall be supervised and performed by certified consulting arborists and qualified tree care personnel utilizing proper arboricultural practices. ... d. Pruning cuts shall be made just above lateral branches and buds, or just outside branch bark collars, utilizing natural ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
On development projects, existing on-site trees in Menifee must be retained unless the city approves their removal, and approved removals must be replaced per the project's conditions of approval. Living trees over three inches in trunk diameter must be surveyed and plotted on existing-conditions plans.
City approval and replacement required for tree removal
Some RestrictionsCity of Menifee Landscape Standards, Section 2 (Existing Conditions / Landscape Construction Document Requirements)
1.2 Existing vegetation (native, naturalized, and ornamental trees, shrubs and ground cover areas, street trees and other parkway plantings) shall be clearly shown. Living trees with trunk diameters in excess of three inches shall be surveyed and plotted on plan. 1.3 Existing on-site trees shall be retained unless approved for removal by the City of Menifee. Living trees that are approved for r...
Weed Ordinances
Menifee enforces Riverside County Ordinance No. 695 (adopted by the city) requiring owners of unimproved parcels to abate dry grass, tumbleweeds, brush, and other flammable vegetation, including 100-foot cleared strips next to roadways and neighboring structures. Willful violations carry civil penalties up to $1,000 per day, criminal fines, and abatement costs assessed as a lien against the property.
Hazardous vegetation abatement under County Ordinance 695
Heavy RestrictionsRiverside County Ordinance No. 695, Sections 3 and 8 (as amended through 695.4; adopted by the City of Menifee)
Upon receipt of a Notice of Violation and Order to Abate, it shall be the duty of every owner, occupant, and person in control of any unimproved parcel of land or interest therein ... to abate there from, and from all sidewalks and parkways ... all combustible material and hazardous vegetation, that constitutes a fire hazard which may endanger or damage neighboring property pursuant to the requ...
Water Restrictions
Menifee enforces its own Landscape Water Use Efficiency Requirements ordinance (Ordinance No. 2009-61, codified at Menifee Municipal Code Chapter 15.04), the city's local implementation of California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance under AB 1881. New and rehabilitated landscapes over the state thresholds must use predominantly low-water plants, weather-based irrigation controllers, and a Landscape Documentation Package approved by the city.
Water-efficient landscape rules under MMC Chapter 15.04
Some RestrictionsCity of Menifee Landscape Standards, Sections 1.B.3 and 5 (implementing Ordinance No. 2009-61, MMC Chapter 15.04)
The water-efficient landscape requirements contained in these standards shall apply to properties and projects in accordance with the City of Menifee "Landscape Water Use Efficiency Requirements" Ordinance No. 2009-61 (MMC Chapter 15.04) regarding landscape area thresholds and exemptions. ... The City of Menifee requires water efficient landscape principles to be used in the design and developm...
Rainwater Harvesting
Menifee Municipal Code Ch. 15.04 (Landscape Water Use Efficiency) explicitly encourages onsite stormwater capture and graywater reuse for landscape irrigation. Graywater installations must comply with the California Plumbing Code (CPC Chapter 16A). State law — the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750, Cal. Water Code §10574) — permits rooftop rainwater harvesting without a water-rights permit. EMWD offers graywater 3-way diverter-valve rebates (up to $50) for laundry-to-landscape systems serving Menifee customers. The City requires a building permit only when rainwater storage tanks exceed thresholds in the California Plumbing/Building Code (typically tanks ≥5,000 gallons or pressurized systems tied to potable supply).
Rainwater capture allowed and encouraged by Ch. 15.04; CPC governs graywater; state law (AB 1750) preempts most barriers
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Menifee's Landscape Standards direct that native, naturalized, and low-water-use plants be specified for most landscaped areas, restrict turf grass to active-use areas, prohibit lawn in medians and public rights-of-way, and require preservation of native vegetation consistent with Riverside County Fire Department fuel-management rules.
Native and low-water plants required for most landscapes
Some RestrictionsCity of Menifee Landscape Standards, Section 5.A and Section 3.B (Landscape Planting / Water Conservation Requirements)
Due to limitations on water supplies for landscape purposes, the City stresses the need for water efficient landscapes. Native plants, naturalized plants, and low water use plant species should be specified for most landscaped areas. Turf grass should be limited to active use areas only. ... 1.5 Lawn shall be prohibited in street median islands, boulevards, public rights-of-way, and parking lot...
Artificial Turf
Menifee permits synthetic (artificial) turf subject to the Development Code and the city's Landscape Standards, which require high-quality materials with a minimum 1.5-inch blade length, washed silica sand and cryogenic rubber infill, and a crushed-rock base with an integrated weed barrier.
Synthetic turf allowed with minimum quality standards
Few RestrictionsCity of Menifee Landscape Standards, Section 5.B.14 (Synthetic (Artificial) Turf Materials)
14. Synthetic (Artificial) Turf Materials. Synthetic turf may be installed subject to the requirements of the City's Development Code and other applicable ordinances. Synthetic turf materials shall be the highest quality, and shall meet the following criteria: 14.1 Synthetic turf shall have a minimum blade length of 1.5 inches. 14.2 Infill material consisting of washed silica sand and black cry...
Looking for Riverside County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Menifee city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Riverside County →