9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 19 cities in Los Angeles County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Property owners in unincorporated LA County must maintain vegetation under nuisance abatement codes. Overgrown weeds and grass are subject to fire hazard reduction and property maintenance requirements. The county may abate and charge owners for non-compliance.
Tree trimming in unincorporated LA County is generally unrestricted for private property, except for protected oak trees. Any cutting or pruning of oak trees 8+ inches diameter requires an Oak Tree Permit under Chapter 22.174. Street trees are managed by county public works.
California Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space — Tree and Vegetation Maintenance Around Structures)
4291. (a) A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in the state responsibility area shall at all times do all of the following: (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 ... (2) Remove that portion of a tree that extends within 10 feet of the outlet of a c...
LA County Code Title 22, Chapter 22.174 protects oak trees in unincorporated areas. Removing, damaging, or encroaching on any oak tree 8 inches or more in diameter requires an Oak Tree Permit from the Department of Regional Planning.
Unincorporated LA County requires weed and vegetation maintenance under fire hazard reduction and nuisance abatement codes. Property owners must keep lots clear of weeds, especially in fire hazard areas. The county conducts weed abatement programs and may charge owners for cleanup.
California Food and Agricultural Code Sec. 5004 (Noxious Weed Definition — Statewide Designation Framework)
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 use in unincorporated LA County is governed by various water districts and state conservation mandates. LADWP and other districts impose watering schedules during drought. AB 1572 bans irrigating non-functional turf with potable water for commercial properties.
California Department of Water Resources — 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...
Rainwater harvesting is legal and actively encouraged in unincorporated LA County. LADWP offers rebates for rain barrels. The LACFCD promotes distributed stormwater capture projects including rain gardens and rain barrels. No permits required for residential collection systems.
California AB 1750 (2011–2012) — Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code Sec. 10570 et seq.)
10570. This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. ... 10573. ... (b) 'Rain barrel system' is a type of rainwater capture system that does not use electricity or a water pump and is not connected to or reliant on a potable water system. (c) 'Rainwater' means precipitation on any public or private parcel that has not entered an offsite storm drain system or ...
Native and drought-tolerant landscaping is encouraged in unincorporated LA County per MWELO and state water conservation mandates. CA Gov Code 65595 prohibits banning native plant gardens. Coastal areas specifically require native species for erosion control landscaping.
Artificial turf is permitted in unincorporated LA County. CA Gov Code 65595 prohibits banning drought-tolerant landscaping. MWELO encourages water-efficient alternatives. Some Community Standards Districts may have specific landscape requirements.
LA County Code Title 12.84 and California SB-1383 require all residents and businesses to separate organic waste from trash, either through curbside green-bin service or backyard composting. LA County Public Works runs the Smart Gardening Program teaching home composting techniques.
19 cities in Los Angeles County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
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
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
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
5 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
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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