Landscaping Rules in Richmond, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Richmond, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Richmond's Yard Maintenance rule requires grass to be maintained at six inches or less and properly disposed of, and treats overgrown weeds, bushes, trees, and vegetation as code violations because they pose fire and safety hazards. The Richmond Police Department's Code Enforcement Division (510-621-1279) handles complaints under the City Council's blight and nuisance ordinances.
Grass must be kept at six inches or less
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Richmond - Code Enforcement, Yard Maintenance guidance (implementing Richmond Municipal Code blight / property maintenance provisions)
Grass must be maintained at six inches or less and disposed of properly. Yard maintenance is the responsibility of every property owner and includes the maintenance of any right-of-way abutting the property. Overgrown weeds, bushes, trees, and vegetation pose fire and safety hazards and are code violations.
Tree Trimming
Richmond requires the branches of any tree extending over a public sidewalk, street, or other public way to be trimmed so they do not obstruct vision or the travel of motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Right-of-way maintenance - including trees and shrubs in the planter strip - is the responsibility of the abutting property owner. Street trees themselves are City property and pruning of City-maintained street trees is coordinated with the Parks and Landscaping Division at (510) 620-6921.
Branches over sidewalk and street must be trimmed
Some RestrictionsCity of Richmond - Code Enforcement, Yard Maintenance guidance (implementing Richmond Municipal Code blight / property maintenance provisions)
Yard maintenance is the responsibility of every property owner and includes the maintenance of any right-of-way abutting the property. ... The branches of any tree extending over any public sidewalk, street, and any other public way should be trimmed so that they do not obstruct vision or the travel of motorists, bicyclists and pedestrians.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Richmond regulates removal of protected and heritage trees on private property. Permits are typically required before removing native oaks, heritage-designated trees, or trees of specific size/species on developed or subdivision lots. Street trees are city-owned and require Public Works authorization for any work.
Landscaping: Tree Removal
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Richmond enforces overgrown weeds and brush as a City blight / property-maintenance violation through Code Enforcement, and the Richmond Fire Department's Fire Prevention Services Division also runs an Exterior Fire Hazard & Weed Abatement program for hazardous vegetation visible from the street, with on-site inspections inside the city's mapped fire hazard severity zone. Parcels in the State Responsibility Area or Fire Hazard Severity Zone are additionally subject to California Public Resources Code Section 4291 defensible-space rules.
City blight rule + Richmond Fire weed abatement
Heavy RestrictionsCity of Richmond Fire Department - Exterior Fire Hazard & Weed Abatement Complaint Form (Fire Prevention Services Division)
A fire inspector will review your complaint, and an on-site inspection of the property will take place if the hazard is determined to be within the fire hazard severity zone. ... Any weed violations must be clearly visible from the street. Due to legal restrictions on search and entry, the Richmond Fire Department is not permitted to climb fences, enter homes, or access properties through backy...
Water Restrictions
Richmond is in the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) service area. EBMUD's Section 29 (Water Use Restrictions) permanently prohibits outdoor watering that causes runoff, watering during or within 48 hours of measurable rainfall, washing sidewalks/driveways with potable water, washing vehicles with a hose that lacks a shut-off nozzle, and use of potable water in non-recirculating decorative fountains. New and rehabilitated landscape projects in Richmond must also comply with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), 23 CCR Section 490 et seq.
EBMUD Section 29 permanent water-waste rules + MWELO
Heavy RestrictionsEBMUD Regulations Governing Water Service, Section 29 - Water Use Restrictions (Resolution 35405-24, eff. 07/01/24)
The following potable water uses are prohibited: a. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes more than incidental runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, or hardscapes (private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures); b. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours af...
Native Plants
Xeriscaping is encouraged in Richmond. Under California Civil Code 4735 and Government Code 53087.7, HOAs and cities cannot prohibit drought-tolerant landscaping or artificial turf as a water conservation measure. EBMUD offers rebates for lawn conversions. New landscapes over 500 sq ft must comply with MWELO.
Landscaping: Xeriscape Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code §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 that ha...
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