Landscaping Rules in Santa Maria, CA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Santa Maria, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Santa Maria's Municipal Code does not set a numeric grass-height limit; instead Chapter 5-8 (Weeds and Rubbish on Private Property) and the property-nuisance article (5-6.202) treat overgrown grass and weeds that become a fire menace when dry, or otherwise dangerous to health and safety, as a public nuisance subject to abatement. Annual weed abatement inspections begin June 1 each year.
Overgrown grass enforced as fire-hazard nuisance
Some RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code § 5-8.02 (Weeds and Rubbish on Private Property)
It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to allow weeds, vines, shrubs or brush which upon maturity will bear seeds of a wingy or downy nature, or which will attain such growth as to become a fire menace when dry, or which contain poisonous oils, or which are otherwise dangerous to the life, health, comfort or convenience of the community to remain upon private property in the City af...
Tree Trimming
Under Santa Maria Municipal Code Chapter 8-8 (Urban Forestry), a permit from the Director of Recreation and Parks is required before anyone may spray, prune, trim, fertilize, plant, transplant, or remove any street tree, vine, shrub, or flower, or trench within the foliage drip line. Street trees are City-managed assets and include trees in parkways from the curb to ten feet toward the home.
Permit required to trim or remove any street tree
Heavy RestrictionsSanta Maria Municipal Code Chapter 8-8 (Urban Forestry); see also SMCC 8-8.05-A (removal candidates)
No person shall spray, root-prune, fertilize, trim, stake, guy, rod, cable, plant, transplant, grade or trench within the foliage drip line or remove any street tree, vine, shrub, or flower without obtaining a permit from the Director of Recreation and Parks.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Santa Maria regulates tree removal through its municipal code. Significant trees and street trees may require permits before removal. Replacement planting may be required.
Santa Maria Tree Removal Regulations
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Chapter 5-8 of the Santa Maria Municipal Code authorizes the City to declare overgrown weeds, vines, shrubs, brush, and hazardous debris on private property to be a public nuisance, post a 10-day notice to abate, hold a public hearing on objections, and — if not abated — perform the work itself and assess the cost against the parcel.
Annual weed abatement and lien-based cost recovery
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Government Code § 39501 (Removal of weeds, rubbish from grounds)
The legislative body may compel the owner, lessee, or occupant of buildings, grounds, or lots to remove dirt, rubbish, weeds, and rank growths from buildings or grounds and adjacent sidewalks.
Water Restrictions
Santa Maria Municipal Code Section 8-10.33 prohibits runoff irrigation, hosing of driveways and sidewalks, washing vehicles with an un-nozzled hose, and operating non-recirculating decorative fountains. In June 2022 the City Council enacted Stage 2 of the Water Shortage Contingency Plan, banning landscape irrigation from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. and irrigation during or within 48 hours of rainfall.
SMMC 8-10.33 outdoor water-use restrictions
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Water Code § 1058.5 (Emergency Conservation Regulations — civil liability)
Notwithstanding Section 1845, any person or entity that violates a regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this section is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) for each day in which the violation occurs. Any fines imposed for violations of an emergency conservation regulation shall be deposited in the Water Rights Fund, established under Section ...
Looking for Santa Barbara County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Santa Maria city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Santa Barbara County →