Landscaping Rules in Pasadena, CA (2026)

California Public Resources Code Section 4291 (Defensible Space — Vegetation Management Around Structures)

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...

Pasadena, CA, Municipal Code §§ 8.52.070(B), 8.52.075(A)

Where no discretionary approval is requested: Where a property owner wishes to remove a tree protected under this ordinance on private property, and no other discretionary approval is required under Title 17 of this code, an application shall be made to the city manager or his/her designee for a permit according to the standard application procedures and submittal requirements set forth in Chap...

Pasadena, CA, Municipal Code §§ 14.50.020(N), 14.50.040(8), 8.48.020

N."Overgrown vegetation" means plants, trees or grass that encroaches or protrudes over the public right-of-way, or has become unsightly due to lack of maintenance. In the case of grass lawns, blades of grass are overgrown when they exceed 10 inches in height. ... 8.Overgrown vegetation likely to harbor rats, or other vermin, or which attain such growth as to become a fire menace when dry or wh...

California Department of Water Resources, Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), implementing California Code of Regulations Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7

The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) establishes standards for new and retrofitted landscapes and encourages the use of efficient irrigation systems, graywater usage, onsite storm water capture, and other water efficiency measures. 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 th...

California AB 1750 (2012) — Water Code Sections 10570-10571 (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 has increased, thereby reducing the volum...

Pasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 17.44.070.B.2, .C.3

Landscape areas and materials for commercial, industrial, hillside, and multi-family projects shall be designed, installed, and properly maintained in compliance with the following. This Section shall not apply to the RS and RM-12 zoning districts. ... 2.Drought tolerant species. Plant materials shall emphasize drought-tolerant and/or native species. ... 3.Turf standards. a.Turf shall be limite...

California Civil Code Section 4735 (HOA Artificial Turf and Low-Water Landscaping Protections)

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...

Pasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 8.66.030(F) (Definitions, Community Composting)

"Community Composting" means any activity that composts Organics material, agricultural material, food material, and vegetative food material, alone or in combination, and the total amount of feedstock and Compost on-site at any one time does not exceed 100 cubic yards and 750 square feet, as specified in 14 CCR Section 17855(a)(4); or, as otherwise defined by 14 CCR Section 18982(a)(8).