Landscaping Rules in Upland, CA (2026)
9 verified landscaping rules for Upland, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
The City of Upland runs a year-round Weed Abatement Program enforcing fire-safety vegetation standards. Grass and weeds must be kept below 4 inches, and combustible fuels (vegetation, trash, debris) must be removed within the first 30 feet of any structure.
Upland Grass & Weed Height (Weed Abatement Program)
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Under Upland Municipal Code Chapter 12.24, the City maintains, trims and repairs trees in the public right-of-way — except for watering. The adjacent property owner must water parkway trees and trim away low suckers/shoots that interfere with pedestrian or vehicular traffic.
Upland Tree Trimming (Street & Parkway Trees)
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
Per Upland Municipal Code Section 12.24.100, no tree may be removed from a parkway or parking strip — except on Euclid Avenue — without a permit issued by the City Manager. Final authority for removing all City trees rests with the City Manager.
Upland Tree Removal (City Permit Required)
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Upland's Weed Abatement Program is a year-round fire-hazard reduction requirement enforced by the City. Properties must remove weeds, dead vegetation, trash and debris, keep grass/weeds below 4 inches, and maintain 30 feet of defensible space around structures.
Upland Weed & Brush Abatement (Foothill Fire Safety)
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
The City of Upland is its own water utility and adopts staged conservation rules in UMC Chapter 13.16. Excessive runoff and unrepaired leaks are always prohibited; in shortage stages, sprinkler watering is limited to two days per week by odd/even address, with restricted hours.
Upland Water Restrictions (UMC Chapter 13.16)
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Upland does not appear to publish a stand-alone rainwater-harvesting ordinance restricting rain barrels. Capturing rainwater is generally legal in California (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012), and the City's water-efficient landscape code (Chapter 17.12) encourages on-site water efficiency.
Upland Rainwater Harvesting & Stormwater Capture
Few RestrictionsNative Plants
Upland does not mandate native plants, but its Water-Efficient Landscape ordinance (UMC Chapter 17.12) pushes low-water, climate-appropriate planting and minimized turf for qualifying new and rehabilitated landscapes. The City and regional agencies offer turf-replacement rebates favoring drought-tolerant gardens.
Upland Native & Drought-Tolerant Plants
Few RestrictionsArtificial Turf
Upland has no published ordinance banning artificial turf, and the City's water-efficiency goals favor reducing live turf. Synthetic turf can serve as a water-saving alternative, but yards must still meet the City's landscape-maintenance and zoning landscape standards (UMC Ch. 17.12 / Property Maintenance).
Upland Artificial / Synthetic Turf
Some RestrictionsComposting
Under California SB 1383, Upland requires all residents to separate organic (food and green) waste. The City provides weekly green-waste (green barrel) collection through Burrtec and offers free food-waste pails; home composting is allowed and supported, but participation in organics recycling is mandatory.
Upland Composting & Organic Waste (SB 1383)
Some RestrictionsLooking for San Bernardino County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Upland city rules.
Landscaping Rules in San Bernardino County →