Landscaping Rules in Tustin, CA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Tustin, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Tustin sets no numeric grass-height limit. Instead, City Code Section 5502(m)(1) requires all landscaping to be kept free of 'dead, decayed, overgrown or discarded plant material.' Overgrown vegetation is a public nuisance enforced by Code Enforcement under the Property Maintenance chapter.
Tustin Grass Height & Overgrown Vegetation
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Tustin claims full jurisdiction over trees in parkways, medians, streets and other public property (Sec. 7301). No person may trim or cut any tree or shrub in a public parkway, median, street or right-of-way without prior written approval of the City's Manager of Field Services (Sec. 7303). Abutting owners must water and maintain parkway trees (Sec. 7304).
Tustin Tree Trimming
Heavy RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a tree in a public parkway, median, street or right-of-way without prior written approval of the Manager of Field Services is unlawful (Sec. 7303). The City removes blighted, diseased or unsafe public trees and replaces them; a healthy public tree is removed only if it has damaged adjacent property or is unsafe (Sec. 7306).
Tustin Tree Removal
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Tustin treats overgrown, dead, or decayed vegetation as a property-maintenance nuisance under City Code Sec. 5502, not as a separate weed-height ordinance. A code enforcement officer may issue a notice and order to abate (Sec. 5503); if the owner fails to act, the City abates and charges all costs back as a special assessment (Sec. 5505, 5508).
Tustin Weed & Nuisance Abatement
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Tustin runs its own water utility and imposes permanent restrictions under City Code Sec. 4953: irrigation 4 days/week (Apr-Oct) or 3 days/week (Nov-Mar), no watering 8 a.m.-4 p.m., no runoff onto pavement, no washing paved areas, and no irrigating within 48 hours of measurable rain. Fines start at $100.
Tustin Water Use Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Tustin has no ordinance banning rainwater harvesting; it actively encourages on-site capture. The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Ord. 1465) gives projects that meet their entire landscape water need with captured rainwater or graywater a streamlined path, and its guidelines recommend swales, basins and drywells to capture stormwater and dry-weather runoff.
Tustin Rainwater Harvesting
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Tustin encourages low-water and native plants and discourages invasives. The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Guidelines push water-conserving plant selection, bar high-water-use plants (plant factor 0.7-1.0) in street medians, and discourage species on the California Invasive Plant Council list. HOAs may not ban water-efficient plants as a group.
Tustin Native & Low-Water Plants
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Tustin allows synthetic turf in front and visible side yards but regulates its look and quality under the Synthetic Turf Standards (Ord. 1398, July 2015). Turf must emulate real grass, be cut-pile polyethylene or polypropylene, professionally installed with drainage and a weed barrier, and combined with natural plants. Plastic or nylon carpet is prohibited.
Tustin Artificial / Synthetic Turf
Some RestrictionsComposting
Under California SB 1383, Tustin requires residents to keep organic waste out of the trash. CR&R provides a three-cart system, and food scraps and yard trimmings (grass, leaves, branches) go in the green cart, which CR&R turns into compost. The City's landscape guidelines also require compost and mulch on regulated landscape installations.
Tustin Composting & Organics Recycling
Some RestrictionsLooking for Orange County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Tustin city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Orange County →