Landscaping Rules in Stockton, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Stockton, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Stockton has no fixed grass-height number, but the Property Maintenance Code (SMC Ch. 8.36) makes overgrown, dead, weed-infested or neglected landscaping a nuisance. Weed Abatement Chapter 8.08 separately allows the City Council to declare tall weeds that may become a fire menace a public nuisance and abate them.
Property Maintenance — Overgrown Vegetation Prohibited (SMC Ch. 8.36)
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Pruning or removing a city street tree requires a Street Tree Permit from Public Works (SMC Ch. 12.64 / Development Code Ch. 16.162). Heritage Oaks — Valley Oak, Coast Live Oak, and Interior Live Oak — are protected anywhere in the City (public or private property) and require a Heritage Tree Removal Permit under Ch. 16.130.
Street Trees & Heritage Oak Permits (SMC Ch. 12.64 / Ch. 16.130 / Ch. 16.162)
Heavy RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Stockton protects Heritage Oak trees under SMC Chapter 16.130 and street trees under SMC Chapter 12.64. Removing a Heritage Oak without a permit requires 3-for-1 replacement and fines. Street tree removal requires a permit from the Community Development Director.
Stockton Tree Removal Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsWeed 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)
Heavy 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 Municipal Code Chapter 13.28 imposes year-round watering rules. Under Stage 1 mandatory conservation, outdoor irrigation is allowed only before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. on two assigned days per address; Monday, Thursday and Friday are no-watering days for all.
Mandatory Water Conservation — Watering Schedule (SMC Ch. 13.28)
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater 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
Few 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...
Looking for San Joaquin County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Stockton city rules.
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