Landscaping Rules in Redding, CA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Redding, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree 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
Few 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
Redding requires a tree removal permit before anyone kills, destroys, or removes a tree over six inches in trunk diameter, developed lot or vacant land, under Municipal Code Section 18.45.030. Skipping the permit exposes the owner to a fine of up to two thousand dollars per tree under Section 18.45.100, plus mandatory replacement planting.
Redding Tree Removal Permit Rules
Significant RestrictionsRedding Municipal Code § 18.45.030
No tree, regardless of species, that exceeds six inches dbh on any developed or undeveloped/vacant property in the city shall be destroyed, killed, or removed unless a tree removal permit is first obtained under the provisions of this chapter, except as may be permitted pursuant to the terms of Section 18.45.070 (Discretionary permits), or as may be expressly exempted under Section 18.45.040 (E...
Weed 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
Light 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...
Composting
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 →