Landscaping Rules in Sacramento, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Sacramento, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree 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
Some 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
Cutting down a protected tree in Sacramento comes with a mitigation obligation. City Code § 12.56.060 requires one-for-one replacement on lots with a house or duplex, or a 1-inch-DSH-for-1-inch-DSH ratio elsewhere, satisfied by planting, an in-lieu fee, or credit for preserved smaller trees.
Sacramento Tree Replacement Mitigation Rules
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code § 12.56.060(A)
A tree replacement plan for private protected trees located on lots that include single-unit or duplex dwellings must provide for the replacement of one tree for each private protected tree removed. Any other tree replacement plan must provide for the replacement of trees at a ratio of one inch DSH of tree replaced for each inch DSH of tree removed (1:1 ratio).
Weed Ordinances
Sacramento does not set its own numeric weed-height limit. Chapter 8.28 instead adopts the state's Government Code weed and rubbish abatement procedure (Sections 39500 et seq.), run locally by the code enforcement director, fire chief and revenue manager, with unpaid costs becoming a lien on the parcel.
Weed and Rubbish Abatement in Sacramento
Some RestrictionsSacramento City Code §§ 8.28.010, 8.28.030
Weed and rubbish abatement in the city shall be performed pursuant to Title 4, Division 3, Part 2 of the Government Code (Sections 39500 et seq.) except as modified by the following provisions. ... The code enforcement director, the fire chief or their designees shall keep an account of the cost of abatement in front of or on each separate parcel where work is done, and shall submit to the city...
Water 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
Light 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...
Native 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...
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County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sacramento city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Sacramento County →