Landscaping Rules in Merced, CA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Merced, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
The City of Merced does not set a numeric grass-height limit. Instead, Municipal Code Section 8.40.070 declares overgrown vegetation and accumulated weeds, grass, and dry debris a public nuisance. Code Enforcement abates by complaint based on the overgrown condition rather than a fixed number of inches.
Merced Grass Height and Overgrown Vegetation
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
The City of Merced maintains street trees in the public right-of-way and tree easements. Residents may trim only small branches within reach from the ground for sidewalk clearance. All other trimming of street trees is the City's responsibility and is performed solely by City forestry crews, which prune on a rotating schedule.
Merced Street Tree Trimming and Pruning
Heavy RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Street trees in Merced are City property, so residents cannot remove them on their own. Removal requests go to the Public Works Department, and not all are honored. The City removes trees that are dead, declining, or a hazard to public safety, under its established tree policies.
Merced Street Tree Removal
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Merced Municipal Code Section 8.40.070 declares overgrown vegetation, accumulated weeds, grass, hay, straw, and combustible trash a public nuisance. Code Enforcement issues notices to abate; if the owner fails to act, the City may abate and recover costs. There is no fixed weed height; the test is whether the condition is overgrown and a nuisance.
Merced Weed and Nuisance Vegetation Ordinance
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
The City of Merced runs its own groundwater utility and limits outdoor watering by address. Even-numbered addresses water Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday; odd-numbered addresses water Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, only before 9 a.m. or after 9 p.m. Stricter day limits apply at higher conservation levels under Municipal Code Chapter 15.42.
Merced Outdoor Watering Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
The City of Merced has no ordinance prohibiting residential rainwater capture. California's Rainwater Capture Act (AB 1750) lets property owners collect rooftop rainwater without a state water right, and rain-barrel systems generally need no local permit. The City actively encourages conservation given its groundwater-only supply.
Merced Rainwater Harvesting and Rain Barrels
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Merced does not require or ban native plants, and the City encourages water-wise, drought-tolerant landscaping to protect its groundwater supply. New and rehabilitated landscapes meeting size thresholds must follow California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), which favors low-water and climate-appropriate plants and limits high-water turf.
Merced Native and Drought-Tolerant Plants
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Merced has no city ordinance banning artificial turf, and replacing thirsty lawn with synthetic turf or low-water plants supports the City's groundwater conservation goals. Installations in front yards and in larger or permitted projects must still meet City zoning, drainage, and California MWELO landscape standards, so design quality and proper materials matter.
Merced Artificial Turf and Lawn Conversion
Some RestrictionsComposting
Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged in Merced. Curbside organics are mandatory: the City's green cart takes yard trimmings and, since January 1, 2024, separated food waste, implementing California's SB 1383 organic-waste recycling law. Green waste must be placed loose, unbagged, in the green container.
Merced Composting and Organic Waste (SB 1383)
Some RestrictionsLooking for Merced County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Merced city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Merced County →