Landscaping Rules in Moreno Valley, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Moreno Valley, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Moreno Valley requires anyone with a tree overhanging a street, sidewalk or right-of-way to keep it pruned to at least eight to 10 feet above the surface, and 14 feet over roadway curb lines, under Municipal Code Chapter 14.40. The city may also prune encroaching private trees itself. Severe topping of public trees is banned outright, and violations carry a $1,000 fine.
Moreno Valley Tree Trimming Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsMoreno Valley, CA, Municipal Code § 14.40.070
Every owner of any tree overhanging any street or right-of-way within the city shall prune the branches so that such branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of any street intersection and so that there shall be a clear space of eight to 10 feet above the surface of the street or sidewalk, at the discretion of the agency responsible for the maintenance of ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Development projects in Moreno Valley that remove an existing tree with a trunk four inches or greater in diameter must replant at a three-to-one ratio using minimum 24-inch box trees of the same species, or a single 36-inch box tree if the city approves a one-to-one substitute. Municipal Code § 9.17.030(E)(8) sets the standard, reviewed as part of landscape plan approval.
Moreno Valley Tree Removal Replacement Ratio
Some RestrictionsMoreno Valley, CA, Municipal Code § 9.17.030(E)(8)
8. Projects necessitating the removal of existing trees with four-inch or greater trunk diameters (calipers), shall be replaced at a three to one ratio, with minimum 24 inch box size trees of the same species, or a minimum 36 inch box for a one to one replacement, where approved.
Weed Ordinances
Moreno Valley conducts annual weed abatement inspections between April and June to reduce wildfire risk. Property owners must cut weeds and grasses to 4 inches or less and clear dead vegetation within 100 feet of structures. Non-compliant properties face city abatement and lien charges.
Weed Abatement in Moreno Valley
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code Section 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). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall con...
Water Restrictions
Moreno Valley's water efficiency ordinance limits landscape irrigation citywide to the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and caps unattended sprinkler stations at 15 minutes of watering per day. Hosing down driveways and washing vehicles with a running hose are also restricted. Municipal Code § 9.17.150 sets these standards, enforced through the city's water purveyors.
Moreno Valley Landscape Watering Time Limits
Some RestrictionsMoreno Valley, CA, Municipal Code § 9.17.150(C), (D)
C. Irrigate landscape only between nine p.m. and six a.m. This provision does not apply when: 1. Manually watering during the establishment period of a new landscape; 2. Temperatures are predicted to fall below freezing; 3. For very short periods of time for the express purpose of adjusting or repairing an irrigation system. D. Refrain from watering or irrigating of any lawn, landscape or other...
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting from rooftops for landscape irrigation is legal and encouraged in Moreno Valley under California's Rainwater Capture Act (AB 1750). Rain barrels under 100 gallons do not require a permit. Larger cisterns or systems connected to plumbing require a building permit and backflow prevention.
Rainwater Harvesting in Moreno Valley
Some RestrictionsAB 1750 — Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (California Water Code Part 2.4, Section 10570 et seq.)
SEC. 2. Part 2.4 (commencing with Section 10570) is added to Division 6 of the Water Code, to read: PART 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. 10570. This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. [...] 10574. Use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit pursuant to Section 1201. [...] This bill would enact the Rainwater Capture...
Native Plants
Moreno Valley encourages California native and drought-tolerant landscaping to comply with the state's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) and AB 1572. New and renovated landscapes over 500 square feet must meet MWELO water budgets. HOAs cannot prohibit low-water landscaping under Civil Code 4735.
Native Plants and Drought Landscaping in Moreno Valley
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a provision of the governing documents or architectural or landscaping guidelines or policies shall be void and unenforceable if it does any of the following: (1) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of low water-using plants as a group or as a replacement of existing turf. (2) Prohibits, or includes conditions that ha...
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is allowed in Moreno Valley residential yards and protected by California Civil Code section 4735 against HOA prohibition during drought. Installations must include proper drainage and should comply with MWELO mulch and hydrozone rules if part of a permitted landscape plan.
Artificial Turf Rules in Moreno Valley
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a provision of the governing documents or architectural or landscaping guidelines or policies shall be void and unenforceable if it does any of the following: (1) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of low water-using plants as a group or as a replacement of existing turf. (2) Prohibits, or includes conditions that ha...
Composting
New landscaping over 500 square feet, or rehabilitated landscaping over 2,500 square feet, must incorporate compost into the soil under Moreno Valley's Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance rules. Anyone pulling a building, planning, plan-check, or landscape design review permit for a qualifying project falls under Municipal Code Section 6.03.140.
Moreno Valley Landscape Compost Rules
Some RestrictionsMoreno Valley, CA, Municipal Code Sec. 6.03.140(A), (C)(1)(a)
Property owners or their building or landscape designers, including anyone requiring a building or planning permit, plan check, or landscape design review from the city, who are constructing a new (single-family, multifamily, public, institutional, or commercial) project with a landscape area greater than 500 square feet, or rehabilitating an existing landscape with a total landscape area great...
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