8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 6 cities in Alameda County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Alameda County requires weeds and grass to be kept below 12 inches in urbanized areas, with stricter 4-inch limits in Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones under PRC 4291 defensible space rules.
Alameda County requires trimming of trees that obstruct public rights-of-way, block street-sign visibility, or interfere with utility lines. Protected heritage and native oak trees may require a permit before trimming.
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 regulates removal of protected trees including heritage oaks, trees over specified diameters, and trees in designated natural resource areas. Permits are often required before removal on private property.
The Alameda County Weed Abatement Program run by the Fire Department requires property owners to remove weeds and combustible debris annually, with violations resulting in abatement and tax liens.
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...
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Alameda County Water District (ACWD) enforce permanent water waste rules plus drought-stage restrictions. AB 1572 bans potable water on non-functional turf starting 2027.
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in Alameda County under CA Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750). Rain barrels under 5,000 gallons for landscape irrigation generally need no permit.
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...
Native and drought-tolerant plants are encouraged throughout Alameda County. State MWELO requires climate-appropriate plants for new landscapes, and EBMUD/ACWD offer rebates for lawn-to-native conversions.
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...
Artificial turf is permitted in Alameda County as a water-saving lawn alternative. State AB 1572 restricts potable irrigation of non-functional natural turf starting 2027, boosting turf adoption.
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...
6 cities in Alameda County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
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