Landscaping Rules in Ventura, CA (2026)
8 verified landscaping rules for Ventura, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Grass Height Limits
Ventura requires property owners to maintain vegetation and prevent overgrowth that constitutes a nuisance or fire hazard. Combustible vegetation including overgrown grass and weeds must be cleared, especially during fire season. Code enforcement addresses properties with unmaintained vegetation.
Ventura Grass Height & Vegetation Maintenance
Some RestrictionsTree Trimming
Ventura regulates street tree trimming and maintenance under SBMC Title 20 (Public Parks, Beaches and Street Trees). Property owners are responsible for maintaining trees that overhang sidewalks and streets. City approval may be required before trimming or removing street trees.
Ventura Tree Trimming Regulations
Some RestrictionsTree Removal & Heritage Trees
City of Ventura may require permits for removal of significant trees under SBMC Title 24 zoning provisions. Oak trees and heritage trees may have additional protections. Contact City Planning at (805) 654-7893 before removing large trees.
landscaping/tree-removal
Some RestrictionsWeed Ordinances
Ventura requires property owners to control weeds and combustible vegetation. Properties with excessive weeds may be declared a public nuisance. The City may perform abatement and bill property owners for costs under SBMC Chapter 1.50 and CA Health and Safety Code 13871.
Ventura Weed Abatement Ordinance
Some RestrictionsWater Restrictions
Ventura Water manages local water conservation. Currently, Ventura does not restrict outdoor watering days for single-family residential customers. However, permanent water waste prohibitions apply, including no irrigation during or within 48 hours of measurable rainfall. Commercial properties must comply with non-functional turf irrigation bans.
Ventura Water Restrictions & Irrigation Rules
Some RestrictionsRainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Ventura under California law. AB 1750 (2012) explicitly allows residential rainwater capture. Ventura Water and the City support rainwater collection as part of water conservation efforts. No permit is generally required for standard rain barrels.
Ventura Rainwater Harvesting Rules
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Water Code Part 2.4 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, AB 1750)
The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) As California has grown and developed, the amount of stormwater flowing off buildings, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces into surface water streams, flood channels, and storm sewers has increased, thereby reducing the volume of water allowed to infiltrate into groundwater aquifers and increasing water and pollution fl...
Native Plants
Ventura encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping. The City's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) applies to new and renovated landscapes over 500 square feet. Ventura Water offers rebate programs for lawn-to-garden conversions. California HOA law protects homeowners who replace lawns with drought-tolerant landscapes.
Ventura Native Plants & Drought-Tolerant Landscaping
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)
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 ...
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is permitted in Ventura as an alternative to natural grass lawns. Installation may qualify for water conservation rebates. No special permits are typically required for residential artificial turf installation. HOAs cannot unreasonably restrict synthetic grass under California law.
Ventura Artificial Turf Regulations
Few RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735 (Artificial Turf and Low Water-Using Plants in Common Interest Developments)
(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 that ha...
Looking for Ventura County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Ventura city rules.
Landscaping Rules in Ventura County →