Landscaping Rules in San Leandro, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for San Leandro, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
San Leandro caps grass, turf, and weeds at 4 inches on private property. Overgrown vegetation is declared a public nuisance and abated at the owner's expense if not corrected after notice.
Grass and Weeds Capped at 4 Inches
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
San Leandro has no heritage tree ordinance for private property: owners may trim or remove trees on their own land without a City permit. Street trees in the public right-of-way require an encroachment permit, and unauthorized work is fined up to $1,000.
Private Trees Unregulated; Street Trees Require Permit
Few RestrictionsCal. Pub. Resources 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
San Leandro requires permits to remove protected and street trees. Private non-protected trees generally do not need permits on residential lots.
Landscaping: Tree Removal
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Weeds taller than 4 inches are a public nuisance under San Leandro Municipal Code 3-1-200(b)(2). The City's Community Preservation Division can order abatement and bill the cost to the owner if vegetation is not removed.
Weeds Over 4 Inches Are a Public Nuisance
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
San Leandro is served by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). EBMUD's permanent Section 29 Water Use Restrictions ban runoff, mid-day irrigation, and watering within 48 hours of rain in every drought stage, including Stage 0.
EBMUD Permanent Water-Waste Rules Apply Year-Round
Some RestrictionsCal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 490 et seq. (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 to fit the plants water needs as they are ...
Rainwater Harvesting
California allows rooftop rainwater capture for irrigation and approved non-potable uses without a permit, and San Leandro encourages on-site retention through the Alameda Countywide Clean Water Program's C.3 stormwater requirements. EBMUD also offers rain barrel rebates.
Rainwater Harvesting Allowed; Encouraged for C.3 Stormwater Compliance
Few RestrictionsCal. Water Code § 10574 (AB 1750, Rainwater Capture Act of 2012)
This bill would enact the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, which would provide that use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit from the state board. (2) Existing law, the Contractors’ State License Law, creates the Contractors’ State License Board within the Department of Consumer Affairs and provides for the licensing and regulation of contractors. Existing la...
Native Plants
San Leandro's Zoning Code Chapter 4-16 (Landscape Requirements) implements California's Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (AB 1881) and the StopWaste.Org Bay-Friendly protocols, requiring climate-appropriate, low-water plants on projects with 500+ sq ft of new landscaping.
Native and Bay-Friendly Plants Required for Permitted Landscapes
Some RestrictionsCal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 490 et seq. (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 to fit the plants water needs as they are ...
Artificial Turf
San Leandro does not prohibit artificial turf on residential properties, and California Civil Code 4735 voids any HOA rule that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting synthetic grass. Installations on permitted projects must still meet zoning landscape and stormwater requirements.
Artificial Turf Allowed; HOAs Cannot Ban It
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 Alameda County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement San Leandro city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Alameda County →