Landscaping Rules in Vacaville, CA (2026)
7 verified landscaping rules for Vacaville, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Vacaville does not impose a numeric inch-limit on lawn height. Tall dry grass and weeds are regulated under VMC Chapter 8.04 (Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish), which declares such growth a public nuisance and authorizes annual June 1 Code Enforcement inspections. Properties not in compliance face abatement at the owner's expense, administrative fines, and tax-roll liens.
Vacaville Grass Height: Weed Abatement, Not a Fixed Inch Limit
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Vacaville Municipal Code Section 14.09.250.060 protects all trees with a diameter at breast height of six inches or more. Significant pruning that risks destroying the tree requires authorization from the Director of Community Development. Routine maintenance trimming is allowed, but cuts that exceed standard arboricultural practice can trigger a Tree Removal Permit requirement and replacement-tree mitigation.
Vacaville Tree Trimming: Permit for Trees 6+ Inches DBH
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code Sec. 4291(a)(2)-(4) (Tree Maintenance for Wildfire Defensible Space)
(2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a chimney or stovepipe. (3) Maintain a tree, shrub, or other plant adjacent to or overhanging a building free of dead or dying wood. (4) Maintain the roof of a structure free of leaves, needles, or other vegetative materials. ... (B) A greater distance than that required under subparagraph (A) may be required by stat...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Vacaville Municipal Code Section 14.09.250.060 prohibits removing or destroying any tree six inches or more in diameter at breast height (DBH) on public or private property without a Tree Removal Permit issued by the Director of Community Development. The application takes a minimum of 21 days, requires arborist information where applicable, and may require replacement trees as a condition of approval.
Vacaville Tree Removal: Permit for 6+ Inch DBH Trees
Heavy RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 8.04 (Abatement of Weeds and Rubbish) declares dry vegetation, weeds, and rubbish a public nuisance, with annual June 1 inspections by Code Enforcement and lien recovery for non-abated parcels. The Solano County Agricultural Commissioner's Weed Management Area (WMA) handles state-listed noxious weeds (yellow starthistle, perennial pepperweed, medusahead) under California Food & Ag Code Sections 5001-5026.
Vacaville Weed Ordinances: VMC Ch. 8.04 + Solano WMA
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Food and Agricultural Code Sec. 5004 (Definition of Noxious Weed)
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
Vacaville Municipal Code Chapter 13.20 (Water Conservation) prohibits runoff, overspray, and using potable water to wash hardscape without a shutoff nozzle. Violations carry fines up to $500. The City also enforces a Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) at VMC Section 14.27 implementing California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance under California Code of Regulations Title 23 Section 490 et seq.
Vacaville Water Restrictions: VMC Ch. 13.20 + State WELO
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) (Mandatory Local Adoption)
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. Usu...
Native Plants
Vacaville does not require native plants in standard residential yards, but the City's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance at VMC Section 14.27 strongly favors low-water and California-native species through plant-factor calculations under the WUCOLS classification. Solano County Water Agency lawn-conversion rebates require at least 50% drought-tolerant or California-native plants at maturity.
Vacaville Native Plants: Encouraged Under WELO, Required for Rebates
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) (23 CCR Sec. 490 et seq.)
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are ...
Composting
Vacaville residents and businesses must subscribe to Recology Vacaville Solano's organics (green-cart) curbside service under California SB 1383 (Public Resources Code Sections 42649.8-42649.97). Food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings go to Jepson Prairie Organics on Hay Road for composting. Backyard composting is allowed as a complement, subject to standard nuisance and rodent-control rules.
Vacaville Composting: SB 1383 Green Cart + Backyard Composting OK
Some RestrictionsCalifornia SB-1383 (2016) — Public Resources Code Sec. 42652 et seq. (Short-Lived Climate Pollutants / Organic Waste Recycling)
42652. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) The organic disposal reduction targets are essential to achieving the statewide recycling goal identified in Section 41780.01. (b) Achieving organic waste disposal reduction targets requires significant investment to develop organics recycling capacity. (c) More robust state and local funding mechanisms are needed to support th...
Looking for Solano County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Vacaville city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Solano County →