8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Fresno County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Fresno County Code Chapter 15 weed abatement requires vegetation height not to exceed 18 inches on unimproved parcels and vacant lots. Fresno County Fire Protection District enforces to reduce wildfire fuel loads.
Tree trimming on private property is generally unregulated in Fresno County, except for protected oaks and riparian trees. Branches overhanging county roads must be cleared to 15-ft vertical clearance per §15.68.
Removal of non-protected trees on private property is generally permitted without a permit in Fresno County. Protected native oaks (valley oak, blue oak) in designated preservation zones require permits and replacement mitigation.
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.
Cal. 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...
Fresno Irrigation District and local water purveyors set watering schedules. Statewide non-functional turf irrigation with potable water is banned for commercial/industrial per AB 1572. MWELO applies to new landscapes >500 sq ft.
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.
California 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.)
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.
California 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 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.
California 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...
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, 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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