Landscaping Rules in Stockton, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Stockton, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Stockton bans harming or removing a heritage tree, defined by species and trunk size, without a Heritage Tree Permit from the Community Development Department. Applications go through a public-notice review, and removing one without a permit draws a fine under the Council's fee resolution.
Heritage Tree Removal Permit in Stockton
Significant RestrictionsStockton Municipal Code § 16.72.245(B)
It is unlawful for a heritage tree that is located in the City to be: 1. Harmed, injured, defaced, or destroyed; and 2. Removed, cause to be removed, effectively removed (as defined in Division 8 (Glossary)), without first obtaining a permit from the Department in compliance with Chapter 16.130 (Heritage Tree Permit), except for emergencies in compliance with Section 16.130.050 (Emergency).
Weed Ordinances
Under SMC Chapter 8.08, the City Council may declare weeds, including wild grasses that may attain large growth, become a fire menace, or are otherwise noxious or dangerous, a public nuisance on private property and in public rights-of-way. Owners get a chance to abate before the City does it at their expense.
Weed Abatement. Fire-Menace Nuisance (SMC Ch. 8.08)
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 5004
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
Stockton assigns every property a two-day-a-week watering schedule by address parity and bans irrigation during daytime hours. Municipal Code § 13.28.035 sets the days and the 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. no-water window, applying "notwithstanding any other provision of this code."
Stockton Watering Day and Hour Limits
Some RestrictionsStockton Municipal Code § 13.28.035
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, exterior irrigation shall be limited as follows: A. For landscape irrigation, the following schedule shall be enforced to promote water conservation: 1. For even numbered addresses, exterior irrigation is permitted only on Wednesday and Sunday. 2. For odd numbered addresses, exterior irrigation is permitted only on Tuesday and Saturday. 3. For p...
Rainwater Harvesting
Stockton has no ordinance restricting rooftop rainwater capture. California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750, Water Code §10574) lets residential, commercial, and governmental landowners install rain barrels and rainwater capture systems without a state water-right permit when collecting rooftop runoff for non-potable on-site use.
Rainwater Capture. Allowed Under California AB 1750 (No Stockton Restriction)
Few RestrictionsCal. AB 1750 (2011-2012) - 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
Stockton encourages, and for many new projects requires, climate-appropriate, low-water plant palettes under Development Code Chapter 16.56 (Landscaping Standards) and the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, Title 23 CCR §490). New landscapes for permits over the MWELO thresholds must include a Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet and prioritize drought-tolerant and California-native species.
Landscaping Standards. Water-Efficient & Climate-Appropriate Plants (SMC Ch. 16.56)
Some RestrictionsCal. Dept. of Water Resources - Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO); Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 490 et seq.
New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Us...
Artificial Turf
Stockton has no ordinance banning artificial turf, and California Civil Code §4735 expressly preempts HOA rules that prohibit synthetic grass or other drought-tolerant landscaping. Synthetic turf may be installed in residential yards subject to standard SMC Ch. 16.56 landscape coverage and setback rules.
Artificial Turf. Allowed; HOA Bans Preempted by Cal. Civ. Code §4735
Some 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...
Composting
Stockton's only codified composting standard sits in the Development Code's community-garden and market-garden/urban-farm rules: compost piles and containers must sit at least 20 feet back from the property line of any residentially zoned lot. Garbage and compost receptacles must also be screened from the street and neighboring properties, and cleared weekly.
Stockton Compost Pile Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsStockton Development Code § 16.80.135
Garbage and Compost. Garbage and compost receptacles must be screened from view from public streets and adjacent properties by utilizing measures such as landscaping, fencing, or storage within or behind structures. All garbage shall be removed from the site weekly. Compost piles and containers shall be set back at least 20 feet from the property line of a residentially zoned lot.
Looking for San Joaquin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Stockton city rules.
Landscaping Rules in San Joaquin County →