Landscaping Rules in Sonoma, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Sonoma, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
City of Sonoma property owners and occupants must keep trees, hedges, and other plants on their lot trimmed if they overhang or abut a public street or sidewalk, so passage is not blocked. Sonoma Municipal Code Section 12.08.060(C) requires this maintenance without a Chapter 12.08 permit, though a separate encroachment permit may still apply for right-of-way work.
Street Tree Trimming Duty, City of Sonoma
Some RestrictionsSonoma Municipal Code § 12.08.060(C)
An owner or occupant of a lot shall keep all trees, hedges and other plants situated on the lot which abut upon or overhang a public street or sidewalk properly trimmed so that the same shall not interfere with the free use of the street or sidewalk. Such trimming shall not require a permit under this chapter; however, an encroachment permit may be required, under other ordinances or regulation...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
The City of Sonoma requires a written tree removal permit before anyone alters, removes, or relocates a significant tree, on private or public property inside city limits. Sonoma Municipal Code Section 12.08.032 makes unauthorized removal unlawful, and Section 12.08.050 sets the application process through the public works director and the tree committee.
Significant Tree Removal Permit, City of Sonoma
Significant RestrictionsSonoma Municipal Code § 12.08.032
It is unlawful for any person other than those authorized under emergency circumstances, as set forth within this chapter, to alter, remove, relocate, or cause to be altered, removed or relocated any significant tree or significant tree, private, as defined in this chapter, unless and until a written permit to do so has first been obtained in accordance with SMC 12.08.050. Any such permit may b...
Weed Ordinances
The City of Sonoma orders weed and brush abatement through its Fire Code amendments rather than a simple mowing height limit. Under SMC 14.10.040 (Fire Code Section 304.1.3.1), the fire chief notifies a property owner by mail when combustible vegetation makes a property a fire hazard, and the city can perform the abatement itself and bill the owner if nothing is done.
Combustible Vegetation & Weed Abatement Sonoma
Some RestrictionsSonoma Municipal Code § 14.10.040 (Fire Code § 304.1.3.1, Combustible Vegetation)
304.1.3.1 Combustible Vegetation. The fire chief shall notify a property owner by U.S. Postal mail when it is determined that a property is or may become a fire hazard due to combustible vegetation. The property owner may be given the choice of performing hazard abatement work on their own behalf, or authorizing the fire chief to have the work performed. In the event that the property owner doe...
Water Restrictions
The City of Sonoma limits irrigation days and hours once the city council declares a water shortage stage under SMC 13.10.070, with restrictions tightening from voluntary guidance to a full irrigation ban as the shortage worsens. Stage 2 alone cuts landscape watering to three days a week between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Sonoma Watering-Day Rules
Some RestrictionsSonoma Municipal Code § 13.10.070
13.10.070 Water shortage stages. ... The council may declare any of the water shortage stages set forth in subsections (A) through (F) of this section by resolution ... B. Stage 2. ... Moderate Shortage – Up to 20 Percent (Mandatory). ... ... 3. Irrigation limited to three days per week, and irrigation is limited to the hours between 8:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. ... D. Stage 4. ... Severe Shortage –...
Rainwater Harvesting
The City of Sonoma exempts small rainwater catchment tanks from a plumbing permit: up to 5,000 gallons for non-spray irrigation and up to 360 gallons for spray irrigation, under Sonoma Municipal Code § 14.10.010. Larger tanks, or ones needing electrical power or a makeup water line, need a plumbing permit under the adopted California Plumbing Code.
Rainwater Catchment Systems in the City of Sonoma
Some RestrictionsSonoma Municipal Code § 14.10.010
3. Exterior rainwater catchment systems used for outdoor non-spray irrigation with a maximum storage capacity of 5,000 gallons where the tank is supported directly upon grade and the ratio of height to diameter or width does not exceed 2 to 1 and does not require electrical power or a makeup water supply connection. ... 4. Exterior rainwater catchment systems used for spray irrigation with a ma...
Native Plants
The City of Sonoma's water-efficient landscaping ordinance credits native and Mediterranean-climate plants as the preferred way to meet its water budget for new and rehabilitated landscapes. SMC 14.32.030 classifies native trees, shrubs, and groundcovers as 'low water use' or 'very low water use' plant material, and Chapter 14.32 requires landscape plans to be built around those water-use categories.
Native & Low-Water Plant Rules Sonoma
Few RestrictionsSonoma Municipal Code § 14.32.030 (Definitions 27, 63)
27. “Low water use plants” means Mediterranean region and native trees, shrubs and groundcovers (such as rosemary), juniper, most native oaks, and other plants recognized as low water use by the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species document as it currently exists or may be amended in the future. ... 63. ... “Very low water use plants” means Mediterranean region and native trees, shrubs...
Composting
The City of Sonoma bans burning or burying solid waste citywide, but Sonoma Municipal Code § 7.08.160 carves out one exception: burying organic waste for garden compost purposes. The compost pile still has to stay free of odor, vermin and fire risk, or the exception no longer applies.
City of Sonoma Home Garden Composting Rules
Some RestrictionsSonoma Municipal Code § 7.08.160
It is unlawful to burn, or cause to be burned, any solid waste or source separated materials within the city limits. It is unlawful to bury solid waste or source separated materials any place within the limits of the city, except organic waste for garden compost purposes; provided, that the composting of organic waste will not attract or aid in the breeding of flies, insects, rodents or other a...
Looking for Sonoma County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Sonoma city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Sonoma County →