Landscaping Rules in Rancho Cordova, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Rancho Cordova, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Rancho Cordova Municipal Code declares weeds and grass taller than 6 inches a public nuisance subject to abatement. The city sends weed abatement notices to vacant lots and nonconforming properties each spring, with forced abatement and liens for noncompliance.
Landscaping: Grass Height
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Rancho Cordova requires vertical clearance over streets and sidewalks, and street trees cannot be pruned without city approval. Private trees may be trimmed by the owner, but encroaching branches over public rights-of-way must be maintained to standard clearance heights.
Landscaping: Tree Trimming
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources Code § 4291 (Defensible Space — Pruning and Maintenance of Specimens)
This subparagraph does not apply to single specimens of trees or other vegetation that are well-pruned and maintained so as to effectively manage fuels and not form a means of rapidly transmitting fire from other nearby vegetation to a structure or from a structure to other nearby vegetation or to interrupt the advance of embers toward a structure. The intensity of fuels management may vary wit...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Rancho Cordova protects heritage and native oak trees, particularly valley oaks and interior live oaks. Removal of protected trees typically requires a tree permit and may require mitigation or replacement planting. Street trees in the right-of-way cannot be removed without city approval.
Landscaping: Tree Removal
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Rancho Cordova enforces weed abatement under California Government Code Sections 39560 to 39588. Property owners must control weeds, dry grass, and noxious vegetation. Annual spring inspections identify nonconforming parcels and forced abatement liens recover the cost of city-contracted mowing.
Landscaping: Weed Ordinances
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and 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
Rancho Cordova is served by Golden State Water Company and California American Water. Permanent State Water Resources Control Board prohibitions apply year-round, and utility drought stages can further limit outdoor watering to assigned days. AB 1572 phases out watering non-functional turf at commercial and institutional sites.
Landscaping: Water Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) Guidebook
DWR is providing technical assistance to local land use agencies and applicants in the form of a Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) Guidebook. The MWELO Guidebook will provide background information, explain provisions of the regulation, and give guidance for enforcement to local agencies and applicants. The draft documents posted here are available for public comment and suggest...
Rainwater Harvesting
California AB 1750, the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, allows homeowners to collect rainwater from rooftops without a water right permit. Rancho Cordova permits rain barrels and cisterns with basic setback and overflow requirements. Systems over 5,000 gallons require building permits.
Landscaping: Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsCalifornia AB 1750 (2012) — Rainwater Capture Act
This bill would enact the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, which would provide that use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit from the state board. (2) Existing law, the Contractors’ State License Law, creates the Contractors’ State License Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs and provides for the licensing and regulation of contractors. Existing la...
Native Plants
Rancho Cordova supports native and drought-tolerant landscaping through Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) compliance and local rebate programs. Native valley grassland and oak woodland species are encouraged. California Civil Code Section 4735 shields homeowners from HOA penalties for water-wise landscaping.
Landscaping: Native Plants
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
California AB 1572 phases out potable water irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial and institutional sites, making artificial turf an increasingly common alternative. Rancho Cordova permits synthetic turf in residential yards, and Civil Code 4735 prevents HOAs from banning artificial turf installed as a water conservation measure.
Landscaping: Artificial Turf
Few RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code § 4735 (HOA — Artificial Turf and Low Water-Use Plants)
(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...
Looking for Sacramento County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rancho Cordova city rules.
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