Landscaping Rules in Alameda County, CA (2026)

California Public Resources Code § 4291

(1) (A) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not beyond the property line, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary shall consider the flammability of the structure as affected by building material, building standards, location, and type of vegetation. Fuels shall be maintained and spaced ...

Alameda County Code § 12.11.130(C)

The director will require replacement of a tree within the right-of-way that is improperly removed or damaged. Where replacement is inadequate to correct the harm caused by an improperly removed or damaged tree or is impracticable, the director may also require the property owner to pay the loss of value of such tree into a tree mitigation fund as abatement for such loss of value.

California Food & Agricultural Code § 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 purposes of p...

Alameda County Code § 17.64.170

This section shall apply to all existing landscapes that were installed before January 1, 2010, are over one acre in size, and exceed the applicable maximum applied water allowance. For all landscapes that have a water meter, the water supplier shall administer programs that may include, but not be limited to, irrigation water use analyses, irrigation surveys, and irrigation audits to evaluate ...

California Water Code § 10574 & § 10573 (AB 1750 Rainwater Capture Act of 2012)

Use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit pursuant to Section 1201. ... "Rainwater capture system" means a facility designed to capture, retain, and store rainwater flowing off a building rooftop for subsequent onsite use. ... Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, a landscape contractor working within the classification for which the license i...

California DWR — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)

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...

California Civil Code § 4735(a) (AB 349)

(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...