Landscaping Rules in Sacramento, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Sacramento, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Sacramento requires property owners to keep grass and weeds under 12 inches under SMC Chapter 8.116; the city may abate and lien for non-compliance.
Grass Height Rules in Sacramento
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Sacramento's strict tree canopy is protected by SMC Chapter 12.56; permits are required to prune city trees and Heritage trees above light maintenance.
Tree Trimming Rules in Sacramento
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Pub. Res. Code § 4291
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: (1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary sha...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing any city or Heritage tree in Sacramento requires a Tree Permit under SMC 12.56 with arborist report and replacement mitigation.
Tree Removal Rules in Sacramento
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Sacramento's SMC Chapter 8.116 Weed Abatement ordinance treats overgrown vegetation, dry grass, and combustible debris as a public nuisance.
Weed Ordinance Rules in Sacramento
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Sacramento enforces watering limits under SMC Chapter 13.04: 2 days per week in summer, 1 day per week in winter, never between 10 AM and 7 PM.
Water Restrictions in Sacramento
Heavy RestrictionsCal. Dept. of Water Resources - Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 490 et seq.
New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Us...
Rainwater Harvesting
California Rainwater Capture Act allows residential rainwater collection without a water right; Sacramento requires permits only for systems over 5,000 gallons.
Rainwater Harvesting Rules in Sacramento
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Sacramento encourages California native plants through the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) and SMUD turf-replacement rebates.
Native Plant Rules in Sacramento
Some RestrictionsCal. Dept. of Water Resources - Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 490 et seq.
New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Us...
Artificial Turf
California AB 1572 bans potable water use on ornamental turf at commercial and public sites; Sacramento allows residential artificial turf, but HOAs cannot forbid it under Civil Code 4735.
Artificial Turf Rules in Sacramento
Few RestrictionsCal. Civ. Code § 4735
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 t...
Looking for Sacramento County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sacramento city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Sacramento County →