Landscaping Rules in Fresno County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Fresno County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In Fresno County's Neighborhood Beautification Overlay Zone, removing any tree six inches or more in trunk diameter from a park strip or public right-of-way requires a permit from the Director of Public Works and Planning. The Director decides within 30 days after a 10-day public posting near the tree.
Fresno County Tree Removal Permit Rules
Some RestrictionsFresno County Zoning Ordinance § 818.2.060(D)
Any person desiring to remove, for any reason, any tree (with a trunk diameter equal to or greater than six (6) inches at ground level), which is in a park strip or public right-of-way, shall apply to the Director of Public Works and Planning, or designee, for a permit as outlined in Section D of this Chapter... The Director, or designee, shall investigate and may approve, with or without condi...
Weed Ordinances
Fresno County weed abatement ordinance requires vacant parcels and structure perimeters to be cleared of flammable vegetation annually. 100-ft defensible space required in State Responsibility Areas per CA PRC §4291.
landscaping/weed-ordinances
Some RestrictionsCal. Food & Agric. Code § 5004 (Noxious Weed Definition)
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
Fresno County Code Section 13.12.060 requires water-efficient landscaping design for any new development project that needs a permit and installs twenty-five hundred square feet or more of landscaped area, including developer-built yards in single-family and multifamily projects. Owner-installed landscaping at existing single-family homes is exempt.
Fresno County Water-Efficient Landscaping Rule
Some RestrictionsFresno County Code § 13.12.060
A.Applicability.1.This section shall apply to:a.Installation of new landscaping in conjunction with development projects that require a permit, including developer-installed landscaping in single-family and multifamily projects, whether installed prior to or after occupancy...3.This section shall not apply to:a.Owner-provided landscaping at single-family projects;b.Cemeteries;c.Registered histo...
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged under CA AB 1750 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012). Residential rain barrels don't require permits. Systems >5,000 gallons or connected to plumbing require plan review under CPC Chapter 17.
landscaping/rainwater-harvesting
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Water Code Section 10574 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012)
Water Code - WAT DIVISION 6. CONSERVATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND UTILIZATION OF STATE WATER RESOURCES [10000 - 12999] PART 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 [10570 - 10574] 10574. Use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit pursuant to Section 1201. (Added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 537, Sec. 2. (AB 1750) Effective January 1, 2013.)
Native Plants
California native plant landscaping is encouraged and protected under CA Gov Code §65595. Fresno County supports MWELO-compliant native landscaping. Central Valley natives include valley oak, California poppy, deergrass, toyon.
landscaping/native-plants
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735
(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...
Artificial Turf
Artificial turf is protected under CA Civil Code §4735 for residential use; HOAs cannot prohibit drought-tolerant landscaping. Fresno County permits artificial turf in all residential zones. Commercial installations may require stormwater review.
landscaping/artificial-turf
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Section 4735
(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...
Landscaping Rules by City in Fresno County
5 cities in Fresno County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
7 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Native Plants
3 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Native Plants
2 verified rules • Tree Trimming, Water Restrictions
2 verified rules • Native Plants, Rainwater Harvesting
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