Landscaping Rules in Merced, CA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Merced, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Cutting, trimming, pruning, spraying, planting or removing any tree, shrub or plant on a Merced street, park, boulevard, alley or public place requires a permit from the director of recreation and parks first. Approval is discretionary, can require a replacement tree, and expires after 30 days.
Merced Street Tree Trimming Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 14.12.040 (Cutting, Trimming or Planting—Permit Required)
No person shall cut, trim, prune, plant, spray, remove, injure or interfere with any tree, shrub or plant upon any street, park, pleasure ground, boulevard, alley or public place of the city, without the prior permission and approval therefor from the director. The director is authorized to grant such permission in his discretion and, where necessary, subject to the condition that the removed t...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Want a street tree gone in Merced? File a removal application with the recreation and parks department under Section 14.12.160; if it's healthy and you just want it out, you pay the full removal cost. The city also runs its own annual removal program for trees six inches or larger in caliper.
Merced Street Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 14.12.160 (Private Party—Removal for Convenience—Fee); Sec. 14.12.200 (Tree Removal Program—Exception)
Whenever a property owner desires to have a tree removed from a planting strip or planting easement owned or controlled by the city, he shall file or cause to be filed with the department of recreation and parks an official application for removal. If such tree is found to be in good condition and the removal is granted solely for the convenience of the applicant, then the full cost of such rem...
Weed Ordinances
Merced Municipal Code Section 8.40.270 lets the city council declare by resolution that weeds growing on streets, sidewalks, or private property are a public nuisance and pursue abatement, penalties, and cost recovery from the responsible party, using the weed definition and process set out in California Government Code Section 39561 et seq.
Merced Weed Abatement Ordinance
Some RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 8.40.270 (Weed abatement)
The city council may:A.Declare by resolution, pursuant to California Government Code Section 39561 et seq., that a public nuisance exists with respect to a specific parcel whenever that parcel is being maintained in a manner that has resulted in weeds, as that term is defined in California Government Code Section 39561.5, being grown upon the streets, sidewalks or private property in the city; ...
Water Restrictions
Merced enforces mandatory water conservation levels that restrict when residents may irrigate, based on groundwater basin conditions determined by the state Department of Water Resources. Section 15.42.050 sets six escalating levels; Level 2 alone imposes a three-day watering schedule tied to address parity and bans irrigation between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. citywide.
Merced Watering Schedule Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 15.42.050.B (Water conservation levels and prohibitions, Level 2 watering schedule)
B.Level 2: This level shall be in effect when the department of water resources determines the condition of groundwater basin is in a state of critical overdraft, water supply is projected to be reduced by up to twenty (20) percent, and/or city council deems it necessary. During any time in which level 2 restrictions are imposed the following mandatory conservation restrictions shall apply in a...
Artificial Turf
Merced's landscaping ordinance affirmatively allows artificial turf anywhere it meets development services department standards, and even lets it satisfy required residential landscape areas in place of live plants or natural turf.
Merced Rules for Artificial Turf in Yards
Few RestrictionsMerced, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 20.36.060(A)(2)(d)
2.Turf Lawns.a.Natural turf areas shall be limited to no more than fifty (50) percent of the landscaped area. The planning commission may approve larger areas if the lawn area provides functional open space for ballfields, etc.b.Drought-resistant grass species shall be used exclusively.c.Turf shall not be used on berms, slopes greater than twenty-five (25) percent, street median, or park strips...
Looking for Merced County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Merced city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Merced County →