Landscaping Rules in Modesto, CA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Modesto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Modesto requires property owners to maintain grass and weeds below 12 inches. Overgrown vegetation is a fire hazard in the dry Central Valley climate and is one of the most common code enforcement violations in the city.
Modesto Grass Height & Weed Regulations
Some RestrictionsTree 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
Some 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
Modesto generally allows removal of privately owned trees on private property without a permit, unless the tree is in a planned development or specific plan area. City-owned street trees require city authorization for removal. Heritage or significant trees may have protections.
Modesto Tree Removal Regulations
Some RestrictionsWeed 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
Some 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
Heavy 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...