Landscaping Rules in Rialto, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Rialto, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Lawns taller than six inches, or untrimmed grass encroaching more than two inches over sidewalks, are public nuisances under Rialto's property maintenance chapter. Vacant-lot weeds or dry grass over four inches are cited through the fire department's weed-abatement program.
Six-inch lawn height limit on maintained property
Heavy RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code sec. 18.72.010(D)(1)
Inadequately maintained landscaping which is visible from any public street, property, or right-of-way ... including without limitation any of the following: 1. Lawns growing in excess of six inches in height, or untrimmed and encroaching more than two inches over sidewalks or other hardscape improvements.
Tree Trimming
Rialto controls planting, pruning, and removal of trees in streets and parkways. Abutting owners must water street trees, keep parkway plants neat, and trim private vegetation overhanging sidewalks or streets; fire standards require branches trimmed eight feet from the ground.
Street tree and parkway trimming duties
Some RestrictionsCity of Rialto Fire Prevention Division, Weed Abatement standards; RMC ch. 11.08
Tree branches and shrubs must be maintained to prevent encampments - branches shall be trimmed 8 feet from the ground. ... Ladder fuels such as tree branches shall be trimmed 8 feet off the ground.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a street or parkway tree requires prior written permission from the public services director, and the city's published criteria allow removal only of dead, hazardous, damaging, or incompatible trees; healthy trees are not approved for removal.
City permission required to remove street trees
Some RestrictionsCity of Rialto, Criteria for Tree Removal; RMC 11.08.070
City of Rialto Criteria for Tree Removal: 1. Trees that are dead or in significant and irreversible decline. Significant decline is defined as dead limbs composing more than one-third (1/3) of the tree crown. 2. Trees that have a potentially hazardous and uncorrectable structure. 3. Trees that are stunted or malformed due to crowding from adjacent trees or structures. 4. Trees that have an inse...
Weed Ordinances
Rialto's Fire Prevention Division runs weed abatement twice a year, inspecting vacant lots starting in April and October. Weeds or dry grass over four inches, noxious weeds, trash, or overgrown vegetation must be abated; unabated parcels are cleared by a city contractor and liened.
Twice-yearly weed abatement with four-inch standard
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Rialto Fire Prevention Division, Weed Abatement Program
The City of Rialto conducts weed abatement twice a year and will inspect vacant lots within city limits. First round starts in April, and the second round starts in October. The municipal code requires that all properties in the city be maintained free of weeds and debris. Weed abatement is primarily to reduce the fuel for wildfires and to protect surrounding properties and infrastructure. ... ...
Water Restrictions
Rialto Municipal Code Chapter 12.20 sets four escalating water-conservation stages. Stage 1 permanently bans runoff, washing pavement, and non-recirculating fountains; the Stage 2 Water Alert adopted in 2016 limits sprinkler irrigation to four days per week, ten minutes per station.
Staged water conservation rules with escalating fines
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Rialto, Water Emergency Regulation FAQ; Rialto Municipal Code ch. 12.20
What are the prohibitions that apply to all Californians? Using potable water to wash sidewalks and driveways; Allowing runoff when irrigating with potable water; Using hoses with no shutoff nozzles to wash cars; Using potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate the water; Irrigating outdoors during and within 48 hours following measureable rainfall; (for Rialto, measurab...
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater capture is legal and encouraged in California under the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750). Rialto requires no permit for rain barrels up to 5,000 gallons used outdoors. Larger cisterns and any indoor/potable use require plumbing permits and backflow protection per the California Plumbing Code.
Rialto Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Rialto's water conservation chapter requires native or water-conserving plant species in landscaping, with landscape plans approved by the city, and lawns minimized in commercial, hotel, condominium, and high-density housing developments. State MWELO efficiency standards apply to larger new landscape projects.
Native or water-conserving plants required in landscaping
Some RestrictionsRialto Municipal Code sec. 12.20.010(C)-(D)
The use of native or water-conserving plant species for landscaping purposes is required; landscape plans shall be approved by the city. The use of lawns shall be minimized in commercial, hotel, condominium, and high-density housing developments and shall be subject to city review and conditioning of projects.
Artificial Turf
California Government Code §53087.7 (AB 349, 2015) bars cities and HOAs from prohibiting artificial turf on residential property. Rialto allows synthetic grass in residential yards subject to general landscape design standards and MWELO permeability requirements.
Rialto Artificial Turf Rules
Few RestrictionsLooking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Rialto city rules.
Landscaping Rules in San Bernardino County →