Landscaping Rules in Redding, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Redding, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Redding regulates overgrown grass and weeds primarily as a fire-hazard and public-nuisance issue rather than under a fixed-inch lawn-height standard. The City Code Enforcement program (Development Services) and the Redding Fire Department address tall grass and weeds on improved and vacant parcels, layered on top of California Public Resources Code §4291's 100-foot defensible-space mandate that applies to properties in or adjacent to State Responsibility Area and Local Responsibility Area fire-hazard zones around Redding.
Redding CA Grass Height and Weed Abatement Rules
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Trimming a tree on private property in Redding generally does not require a City permit so long as the work does not effectively kill the tree or breach the City's tree-management rules (RMC Chapter 18.45). Street trees in the public right-of-way are governed by RMC Title 13, Chapter 13.40 (Trees and Shrubs), administered by Public Works. Redding Electric Utility (REU) prunes for line clearance per Public Utilities Commission and CPUC General Order 95 standards. California common-law self-help allows trimming a neighbor's overhanging branches up to the property line.
Redding CA Tree Trimming Rules and Utility Clearance
Some RestrictionsCal. Pub. Res. Code § 4291(a)(2)-(4) (Tree Trimming for Defensible Space)
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:... (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) Maintai...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Tree removal in the City of Redding is regulated by Chapter 18.45 (Tree Management) of the Redding Municipal Code, originally adopted in 1990 and updated in 2006, with a 2023 Tree Management Ordinance Update Committee process. No tree exceeding 6 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) on any developed or undeveloped/vacant parcel within the city may be destroyed, killed, or removed without a tree-removal permit, subject to limited exemptions (RMC §18.45.040) and discretionary-permit provisions (RMC §18.45.070).
Redding CA Tree Removal Rules and Permit Threshold
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Weed control in Redding is driven first and foremost by California fire law. Public Resources Code §4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around any structure in or adjacent to a State Responsibility Area, with annual grasses mowed to about 4 inches. Redding lies within and adjacent to mapped Moderate, High, and Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones (Cal Fire FHSZ maps, PRC §§4201-4204). The Shasta County Fire Safe Council and Redding Fire Department coordinate annual weed-abatement outreach and enforcement.
Redding CA Weed Abatement and Defensible Space
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 5004 (Noxious Weed Definition)
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 purpose...
Water Restrictions
The Redding Water Utility currently operates at Stage 1 - Year-Round Conservation, which is voluntary, with an odd/even outdoor watering schedule and prohibitions on hosing hardscapes or irrigating within 48 hours of rainfall. Higher-stage mandatory restrictions are codified in the Water Shortage Contingency Plan (RMC Chapter 14.09) referenced through RMC Chapter 14.08 (Water). California Water Code §365 et seq. and statewide State Water Resources Control Board emergency drought regulations layer additional restrictions during declared drought.
Redding CA Water Restrictions and Drought Schedule
Some RestrictionsCal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 490 et seq. (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance / MWELO)
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...
Native Plants
The City of Redding does not mandate native-plant landscaping on residential property. The City's Landscape Standards (RMC Chapter 18.47) and Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance — updated October 2024 to align with the 2025 state MWELO (23 CCR §490+) — favor low-water, climate-adapted species and limit irrigated turf on new and rehabilitated landscapes. The California Native Plant Society Shasta Chapter and the Shasta County Resource Conservation District provide free design and species guidance.
Redding CA Native Plants and Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Few RestrictionsComposting
Since January 2024, all City of Redding residents are required by California Senate Bill 1383 (Lara, 2016; Public Resources Code §42652+) to separate food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings into the City's Organics cart for collection by Recycling and Solid Waste. Backyard composting on private residential lots is permitted and encouraged. Open burning of yard waste is prohibited within Redding city limits and regulated by the Shasta County Air Quality Management District.
Redding CA Composting and SB 1383 Organic Waste Rules
Some RestrictionsCal. SB 1383 (2016) - Organic Waste Reduction and Composting Mandate
SB 1383, Lara. Short-lived climate pollutants: methane emissions: dairy and livestock: organic waste: landfills. (2) The California Integrated Waste Management Act of 1989, which is administered by the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery, establishes an integrated waste management program that requires each county and city and county to prepare and submit to the department a countywi...
Looking for Shasta County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Redding city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Shasta County →