Landscaping Rules in Los Angeles County, CA (2026)

6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 21 cities in Los Angeles County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tree Trimming

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.

LA County Unincorporated Oak Tree Permit Ordinance

Some Restrictions

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...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains North Area, LA County requires a Protected Tree Permit before cutting, removing, relocating, or encroaching on any species listed on its official Protected Trees list, including native, oak, mitigation, and heritage trees.

LA County Santa Monica Mountains Tree Protection

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 22.336.060.B

B.Trees. Except as otherwise permitted in Subsection 3, below, a person shall not cut, destroy, remove, relocate, inflict damage, or encroach into the protected zone of any tree species specified in a protected native tree list titled, "Protected Trees in the Santa Monica Mountains,'' which is to be maintained by the Department.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

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.

LA County Unincorporated Weed Abatement Program

Some Restrictions

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...

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Water Restrictions

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.

LA County Unincorporated Water Conservation Ordinance

Light Restrictions

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...

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Rainwater Harvesting

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.

Los Angeles County Rainwater Harvesting Rules

Few Restrictions

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 ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Native Plants

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone, Los Angeles County requires new landscaping and revegetation to use locally-indigenous, drought-tolerant plants outside fuel-modification zones, and bans invasive species, not a countywide rule.

LA County Santa Monica Mountains Native Plants Rule

Significant Restrictions

Los Angeles County Code § 22.44.1240

Plantings within Fuel Modification Zones A and B shall consist of primarily locally-indigenous, drought-tolerant plant species and shall blend with the existing natural vegetation and natural habitats on the site. ... Plantings that may be required in Fuel Modification Zone C or outside fuel modification areas shall consist entirely of locally-indigenous, drought-tolerant plant species, and sha...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗