Landscaping Rules in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
5 verified landscaping rules for Santa Monica, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
No one may remove, cut, trim, prune, or otherwise disturb any tree on public property, including streets, sidewalks, parkways, and alleys, without first obtaining a City permit, and violations carry fines up to $1,000 or jail time.
Tree Protection: Tree Removal Permits
Significant RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 7.40.110
§ 7.40.110. Permit requirements. (a) No person shall remove, cut, trim, prune, plant, injure, or interfere with any tree, shrub, or plant upon any street, sidewalk, parkway, alley or other public property without having first obtained a City permit authorizing such work. The permit may be granted on the condition that the owner or authorized representative bears the cost of the permitted work a...
Weed Ordinances
Santa Monica requires property owners to maintain landscaping and prevent weed growth under SMMC Ch. 13.02. Overgrown vegetation, dying or dead plants, and inadequate ground cover are property maintenance violations.
Santa Monica Weed Abatement & Property Maintenance
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Section 5004 (Statutory Definition of Noxious Weed)
5004. "Noxious weed" means any species of plant that is, or is liable to be, troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental, or destructive to agriculture, silviculture, or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious weed. In determining whether or not a species shall be designated a noxious weed for the purpose...
Water Restrictions
Santa Monica bans spray irrigation of lawns and landscapes between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. every day, limits sprinkler run times, and can activate tiered outdoor watering day-of-week restrictions from 3 days per week down to a complete ban during declared water shortage phases.
Water: Lawn Watering Restrictions
Significant RestrictionsSanta Monica Municipal Code § 7.16.020(a)
§ 7.16.020. Water conservation requirements. (a) Landscape. (1) Watering Hours. No lawn or landscape area shall be spray irrigated between the hours of nine a.m. and five p.m. on any day. ... (3) Limitations on Sprinkler Use. All irrigating of landscape with potable water using spray head sprinklers and bubblers shall be limited to no more than ten minutes per watering day per station. All irri...
Rainwater Harvesting
Santa Monica strongly encourages rainwater harvesting as part of its water self-sufficiency goal. The city promotes stormwater harvesting through BMPs and infrastructure. Landscape rebates are available for rainwater capture systems.
Santa Monica Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Some RestrictionsCalifornia AB 1750 (2012) - Water Code Sections 10570-10571 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012)
10570. This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. 10571. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) As California has grown and developed, the amount of stormwater flowing off buildings, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces into surface water streams, flood channels, and storm sewers has increased, thereby reducing the volum...
Artificial Turf
Santa Monica heavily restricts new turf. New residential properties may use high-water plants (including turf) in no more than 20% of total landscaped area. New commercial properties are prohibited from using turf. Ground cover must be live plant material.
Santa Monica Artificial Turf Regulations
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735 (HOA Artificial Turf and Low-Water Landscaping Protections)
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 Santa Monica city rules.
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