Landscaping Rules in Westminster, CA (2026)
6 verified landscaping rules for Westminster, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Westminster's public works department prunes official street trees to keep at least twelve feet of clearance over sidewalks and sixteen feet over streets, following ANSI A300 tree care standards. Topping is generally prohibited, and private parties may not trim or maintain a street tree themselves without the director's written consent.
Westminster Street Tree Clearance Standards
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 12.12.070(A)
The public works department shall maintain, plant and remove all official street trees planted along city streets. ... Trees planted along city streets shall be pruned to give a clearance of not less than twelve feet over sidewalks and not less than sixteen feet over streets, as the size of the tree permits. Trees shall be maintained/trimmed in accordance with the standards adopted by the Ameri...
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Street and parkway trees in Westminster cannot be removed unless they are dead, dying, diseased, causing documented water or sewer problems, medically triggering allergies, an unacceptable species, or a determined public hazard. Anyone wanting to remove or interfere with vegetation along a city street must first get a permit from the director.
Westminster Street Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code §§ 12.12.060(E), 12.12.100
Street or interim street trees and shrubs shall not be removed unless they are dead, dying, diseased, maintain medically-documented allergies, or are the cause of documented water or sewer problems, or are unacceptable tree species as designated by the director and requested by the adjacent property owner, or constitutes a public hazard or nuisance, as determined by the director. ... Any person...
Weed Ordinances
Westminster declares overgrown, dead or diseased vegetation, including weeds, grass and shrubbery, a public nuisance whenever it lets rats, vermin or insects breed or hide on the property, under Municipal Code § 8.20.030(D). The rule reaches every owner and occupant, and unresolved conditions move into the city's formal nuisance abatement and hearing process.
Westminster Overgrown Weeds and Vegetation Nuisance
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 8.20.030(D)
Maintenance of Dead/Overgrown Vegetation. To maintain vegetation, including but not limited to trees, weeds, shrubbery and grass, cultivated or uncultivated, which is overgrown, dead, decayed or diseased in such a manner as to permit the breeding or harboring therein or thereon of rats, vermin, insects or other animals which are dangerous to the public health, safety or general welfare.
Water Restrictions
Westminster caps outdoor irrigation to five days a week year-round under Code § 13.14.050(A), tightening to three days a week from November 1 through March 31. Watering between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. is banned every day under § 13.14.050(B). Drip lines under two gallons per hour and hand-held hoses with shut-off nozzles are exempt.
Westminster Watering-Day and Time Limits
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 13.14.050(A)-(B)
Limits on Watering Days. Watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water is limited to five days per week on a schedule established and posted by the city. From November 1 through March 31, watering or irrigating of lawn, landscape or other vegetated area with potable water is limited to no more than three days per week on a schedule established and posted b...
Rainwater Harvesting
Westminster rewards on-site rainwater capture: under § 17.310.010(F)(2), a lot or parcel with less than 2,500 square feet of landscape area that meets its entire estimated water requirement through stored rainwater capture (or graywater) is subject only to Appendix A of the city's Handbook of Water Efficiency Landscape Measures, skipping the full landscape water-efficiency review.
Westminster Rainwater Capture Landscape Credit
Few RestrictionsWestminster Code § 17.310.010(F)(2)
Graywater Use. New or rehabilitated projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater capture on site, any lot or parcels within the project that has less than 2,500 square feet of landscape area and meets the lot or parcel's landscape water requirement (estimated total water use) entirely with the treated or untreated graywater or through stored rainwater capture on-site is subject on...
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is allowed in every zoning district under § 17.310.035, but it must be cut-pile, in-filled synthetic turf with an 8- to 12-year no-fade warranty, professionally installed with anchored edges and drainage, and kept green year-round. Single-family homes must still keep at least 10 percent of a turfed front or street-side yard in live plants.
Westminster Artificial Turf Design Standards
Some RestrictionsWestminster Code § 17.310.035(B)
The installation and use of artificial turf shall be subject to the following standards: Allowed materials include cut-pile in-filled type artificial turf, composed of nylon, polyethylene and/or polypropylene as defined in Article 7 of this Title. All areas of artificial turf shall have a 8-year to 12-year minimum no-fade warranty. The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a re...
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