Landscaping Rules in Santa Ana, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Santa Ana, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Santa Ana keeps its street trees on a roughly four-and-a-half-year trimming cycle and requires the city to prune any public tree so its limbs don't block a streetlight or intersection view, keeping a clear space of 14 feet above the street or sidewalk. Topping a public tree is banned as a normal practice, and tree-related decisions can be appealed.
Santa Ana Street Tree Clearance Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Ana, CA, Municipal Code § 33-189
The City of Santa Ana shall maintain the city's urban forest on an average 4½-year trimming cycle based on species, the recommendations of a certified arborist, and the International Society of Arboricultural Tree Pruning Standards. The city shall maintain and prune any public tree with limbs or branches so that branches shall not obstruct the light from any street lamp or obstruct the view of ...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Santa Ana's tree ordinance protects public trees on streets, parkways and public grounds. Topping is banned outright, and no one may post signs, nail, cut, paint or attach wires to a street tree without city authorization. Violations are misdemeanors under the citywide penalty code.
Santa Ana Public Tree Protection Rules
Some RestrictionsSanta Ana, CA, Municipal Code §§ 33-190, 33-191
Sec. 33-190. - Tree topping. It shall be unlawful as a normal practice for any person, firm or city department to top any public tree on public property. Sec. 33-191. - Damaging trees. No person shall post or affix to any tree or shrub, tree stake or guard, in any street in the city, any bill, poster, placard, picture, announcement, notice, advertisement or sign, or cut, paint, print or mark an...
Weed Ordinances
Santa Ana caps weeds, grass, rank growth, and brush at six inches above grade on any lot or private premises. The Public Works Agency posts removal notices, and if the growth isn't cut within the notice period the city can abate it and put the cost on your property tax bill.
Santa Ana Weed and Grass Height Limit
Some RestrictionsSanta Ana, CA, Municipal Code § 16-48(3)
Sec. 16-48. - Noxious growths, rubbish, garbage prohibited; prima facie evidence. No person owning, managing or having control or charge or occupancy of any lot or private premises, shall: (1)Allow noxious growths or growths otherwise dangerous to the life, health, comfort or convenience of the community, to grow or remain upon such lot or private premises; ... (3)Suffer or permit any weeds, gr...
Water Restrictions
Watering a lawn, landscape, or other vegetated area in Santa Ana between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. is a standing, year-round violation under Municipal Code § 39-99(a), enforced with escalating fines and, eventually, a flow restrictor or disconnected service.
Santa Ana Lawn Watering Hours Ban
Significant RestrictionsSanta Ana, CA, Municipal Code § 39-99(a)
Watering of a lawn, landscape or other vegetated area between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. is prohibited. Hand-held water cans, buckets, or similar containers reasonably used to convey water for irrigation purposes are not subject to these time restrictions. Similarly, a hand-held hose equipped with a fully functioning, positive self-closing water shut-off nozzle, may be used during the...
Artificial Turf
Santa Ana permits artificial turf installation on residential properties as an alternative to natural grass. Under California Government Code Section 4735, HOAs cannot prohibit artificial turf on residential properties. No special city permit is required for turf replacement.
Santa Ana Artificial Turf Regulations
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 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...
Composting
Backyard composting is permitted in Santa Ana. SB 1383 requires organic waste diversion. Composting must not create nuisance conditions.
Santa Ana Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia SB 1383 (2016); Health and Safety Code Section 39730.6 and Public Resources Code Section 42652.5
39730.6. (a) Consistent with Section 39730.5, methane emissions reduction goals shall include the following targets to reduce the landfill disposal of organics: (1) A 50-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020. (2) A 75-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2025. [...] 42652....
Looking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Ana city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Orange County →