Landscaping Rules in Orange, CA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Orange, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
The City of Orange requires property owners to maintain lawns and landscaping in a neat and orderly condition under general nuisance and property maintenance provisions. Overgrown vegetation constituting a nuisance is subject to code enforcement.
Orange Grass Height and Lawn Maintenance
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Tree trimming in Orange is regulated under OMC Chapter 12.28 for street trees and general property maintenance provisions for private property. Trimming street trees requires a permit from Public Works.
Orange Tree Trimming Regulations
Some RestrictionsCal. Public Resources Code Section 4291(a)(2)-(4)
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: ... (2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. (3) Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood. (4) Maintain the roo...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
The City of Orange regulates tree removal through OMC Chapter 12.32 (Tree Preservation) and Chapter 12.28 (Street Trees). Removing trees from undeveloped or public interest property requires a permit. Historical trees receive special protection.
Orange Tree Removal Regulations
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
The City of Orange requires property owners to control weeds and maintain vegetation under general nuisance and property maintenance provisions. Unmaintained weeds creating fire hazards or harboring vermin are subject to code enforcement.
Orange Weed Control Ordinance
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agricultural Code Section 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 purposes of p...
Water Restrictions
The City of Orange prohibits landscape irrigation between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM and limits watering to 15 minutes per station per day under the city's water conservation ordinance. Additional restrictions may apply during drought conditions.
Orange Water Restriction Regulations
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Orange under California Water Code Section 10574. Residents may collect and use rainwater from rooftop catchment systems for landscape irrigation without a permit.
Orange Rainwater Harvesting Regulations
Few RestrictionsCal. Water Code § 10574 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012)
Water Code - WAT DIVISION 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES [10000 - 12999] ( Heading of Division 6 amended by Stats. 1957, Ch. 1932. ) PART 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 [10570 - 10574] ( Part 2.4 added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 537, Sec. 2. ) 10574. Use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit pursuant to Section 1201. (Add...
Native Plants
The City of Orange encourages native and drought-tolerant plant landscaping through its water conservation program and landscape standards. New landscaping over 500 square feet must comply with the city's Landscape Standards and state water conservation laws.
Orange Native Plant Landscaping
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), 23 CCR Div. 2, Ch. 2.7
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 Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Usu...
Artificial Turf
The City of Orange permits artificial turf on residential properties as part of water conservation landscaping. Installations must meet the city's landscape standards and may be subject to HOA review in certain communities.
Orange Artificial Turf Regulations
Few RestrictionsCal. 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 have t...
Composting
California SB 1383 requires City of Orange residents to separate organic waste from trash; CR&R Environmental Services provides mandatory green-cart curbside collection for food scraps, yard waste, and food-soiled paper.
landscaping/composting
Some RestrictionsCalifornia SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy
California’s Organic Waste Reduction SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy Landfilled food and other organic waste rotting in landfills emits methane climate pollution contributing to California’s hotter summers, more frequent droughts, and more wildfires. Feed People and Fight Climate Change Fight Climate Change by Recycling Organic Waste To reduce methane pollution and othe...
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Orange city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Orange County →