Landscaping Rules in Modesto, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Modesto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Modesto requires property owners to maintain trees so they do not obstruct sidewalks (8 ft clearance), streets (14 ft clearance), or block sight lines at intersections. City-maintained street trees may only be trimmed by city crews or approved contractors.
Modesto Tree Trimming Regulations
Light RestrictionsCal. Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space — Tree Pruning and Fuel Modification)
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). ... This subparagraph does not apply to singl...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a street tree in Modesto's right-of-way or planting easement requires a permit from the Public Works Director under § 7-5.05(d). Owners apply through the Solid Waste Division; the Director weighs owner hardship against the tree's condition and the Street Tree Plan, and any granted permit expires after 60 days.
Modesto Street Tree Removal Permit
Significant RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 7-5.05(d)
(d)In the event a property owner desires to remove a tree from the right-of-way or easement abutting his/her property, the property owner or his/her authorized agent shall submit an application to the Department's Solid Waste Division. The Director shall determine whether or not such tree is required to be retained in order to preserve the intent and purpose of the Street Tree Plan. In making h...
Weed Ordinances
Modesto prohibits allowing weeds, overgrown grass, or neglected vegetation visible from public rights-of-way. Lawns exceeding 12 inches in height and weed-infested or decayed plants constitute a codified nuisance under the Property Maintenance Code.
Overgrown Weeds and Vegetation Declared a Public Nuisance
Significant RestrictionsCal. Food & Agricultural Code Sec. 5004 (Definition of Noxious Weed)
5004. "Noxious weed" means any species of plant that is, or is liable to be, troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental, or destructive to agriculture, silviculture, or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious weed. In determining whether or not a species shall be designated a noxious weed for the purpose...
Water Restrictions
Modesto enforces water conservation measures year-round, with additional restrictions during drought conditions. Outdoor watering is limited to specific days and times. The city is served by a combination of groundwater and Modesto Irrigation District surface water.
Modesto Water Conservation Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO; 23 CCR Sec. 490 et seq.)
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. ... New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Bu...
Native Plants
Any landscape plan required under Modesto's Code must draw at least 90 percent of its nonturf plant list from species suited to the Central Valley climate and needing minimal water once established. The remaining 10 percent of nondrought-tolerant plants must be grouped on a separate irrigation valve so they can be watered without soaking the rest of the bed.
Modesto Landscaping Requires 90% Water-Wise Plants
Some RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 12-1.03(b)
(b)Plant Materials. The selection of plant materials should include both evergreen and deciduous trees, shrubs, and attractive erosion-preventing ground cover. It is required that at least ninety (90) percent of the plants selected in nonturf areas be well suited to the climate of the region and require minimal water once established in the landscape. Up to ten (10) percent of the plants may be...
Composting
Modesto caps how long garbage or organic waste can sit on a property at two weeks and rubbish at one month, but § 5-5.108 specifically exempts composting grass or trimmings from that nuisance limit, so long as it follows the State of California's Composting Regulations.
Modesto Exempts Yard Composting From Nuisance Cap
Few RestrictionsModesto Code of Ordinances § 5-5.108
Every person occupying premises, every owner of any property, and every owner of multiple-dwelling buildings shall keep the same in a clean and sanitary condition, and shall not cause, suffer, or permit any garbage, recycling, or organic waste to accumulate on such premises or property for a period in excess of two (2) calendar weeks; or cause, suffer, or permit any rubbish to accumulate on the...
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