Landscaping Rules in Oxnard, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Oxnard, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Property owners in Oxnard are responsible for trimming trees on their property and maintaining clearance over sidewalks and streets. The city maintains street trees but may require adjacent property owners to assist.
Oxnard Tree Trimming Rules
Light RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code § 4291
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 sha...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Oxnard bans removing any tree on public property without the parks superintendent's written consent, and the superintendent can also take down a private tree that overhangs a public right-of-way. Owners get ten days' written notice before a routine removal.
Oxnard Public Tree Removal Rules
Significant RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 20-5
SEC. 20-5. REMOVAL OF TREES. The superintendent may remove any tree or any part thereof that appears to be dead, liable to fall, dangerous or obstructing the public right-of-way, if the tree is on public property or if the tree is on private property and overhangs or projects into any public right-of-way.
Weed Ordinances
Oxnard caps weeds and plant growth on improved property at 12 inches under the city's amended Property Maintenance Code. Code Compliance can order a property owner to cut overgrowth, and if the owner ignores a notice of violation, the city sends a crew to cut it and bills the cost back to the owner.
Oxnard Weed Height Limit for Improved Lots
Some RestrictionsOxnard Code of Ordinances § 14-121(D) (Property Maintenance Code § 302.4)
302.4. Weeds. Premises and exterior property shall be maintained free from weeds or plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches. Noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation, other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this term shall not include cultivated flowers and gardens. Upon failure of the owner or agent having charge of a pro...
Water Restrictions
Oxnard enforces water conservation regulations consistent with California state requirements. Outdoor watering is limited to certain days and times. The city has adopted the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance for new development.
Oxnard Water Restrictions & Landscape Watering Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 490 et seq. (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance)
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. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are ...
Rainwater Harvesting
Oxnard encourages rainwater harvesting for landscape irrigation. California AB 1750 expressly allows rainwater capture from rooftops. No city permit is required for standard rain barrel systems, though larger cisterns may need building permits.
Oxnard Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Water Code §§ 10570-10574 (AB 1750, Rainwater Capture Act of 2012)
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. 10571. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) As California has grown and developed, the amount of stormwater flowing off buildings, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces into surface water streams, flood channels, and storm sewers h...
Native Plants
Oxnard encourages drought-tolerant and native plant landscaping through its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO). New developments and major renovations must comply with state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance standards favoring low-water-use plants.
Oxnard Native Plant Landscaping Standards
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources, Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), California Code of Regulations Title 23
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. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are ...
Artificial Turf
Oxnard permits artificial turf installation in residential and commercial landscapes. Artificial turf may count toward water-efficient landscape requirements under MWELO. No special permit is required for residential installation beyond standard building requirements.
Oxnard Artificial Turf Regulations
Some RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code § 4735
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 t...
Composting
Oxnard encourages residential composting as part of California's SB 1383 organic waste diversion requirements. Home composting bins are permitted in residential yards without permits. The city's waste hauler provides green waste collection that includes composting.
Oxnard Composting Regulations
Some RestrictionsCalRecycle, SB 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Strategy (Lara, 2016)
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 oth...
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