Landscaping Rules in Marin County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Marin County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Marin County Development Code Chapters 22.27 (Native Tree Protection and Preservation) and 22.62 (Tree Removal Permits) require a Tree Removal Permit before removing Protected or Heritage trees in unincorporated Marin. Routine pruning is generally allowed, but heavy trimming or removal of native oaks and willows triggers permit review.
Tree Removal Permits & Native Tree Protection
Some RestrictionsMarin County Code § 22.27.030 (Prohibition on Removal of Protected Trees); Ch. 22.62 (Tree Removal Permits)
Protected Trees shall not be removed except in compliance with Section 22.62.040 (Exemptions), and as provided for in Chapter 22.62 (Tree Removal Permits). A Tree Removal Permit is required where: more than two (2) Protected Trees are being removed from a developed lot in a 12-month period; the tree qualifies as a Heritage Tree; the tree is a Protected Tree or Heritage Tree and is located in a ...
Weed Ordinances
Marin County Fire Code (Ord. 3775) § 325.5 requires every parcel to be kept free of weeds, dead trees, and other hazardous vegetation that constitute a fire hazard. The Fire Marshal can order tall grass and brush mowed, cleared, or removed.
Hazardous Vegetation Abatement (Fire Code § 325.5)
Some RestrictionsMarin County Fire Code Ord. 3775 §§ 325.5, 325.5.1, 325.9.1
325.5.1 Weeds, dead trees and rubbish to be destroyed or removed. No person who has any ownership or possessory interest in or control of a parcel of land shall allow to exist thereon any hazardous rubbish or weeds, trees, or other vegetation which constitutes a fire hazard. 325.9.1 The County fire code official may order the abatement of weeds, trees and rubbish and shall mail a copy of notice...
Water Restrictions
In unincorporated Marin County served by Marin Municipal Water District (Marin Water), Ordinance 459 prohibits using district water to irrigate new ornamental lawn in commercial/municipal landscapes, and Ordinance 466 caps new residential turf at 20% of the newly landscaped area or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less.
Marin Water Ordinance 459 & 466 - Turf Limits
Significant RestrictionsMarin Municipal Water District Ordinance No. 466 (Turf Limits and District Fixture Standards)
Marin Water adopted Ordinance No. 466, which restricts grass installation at newly constructed single-family homes and duplexes to no more than 20% of the newly landscaped area, with a maximum allowable grass area of 1,200 square feet. The prohibition shall apply to the residential landscapes of all newly developed single-family and duplex residences within the District for which a building per...
Rainwater Harvesting
Unincorporated Marin's Development Code lists rainwater cisterns and collectors, alongside solar collectors and storage sheds, as an allowed residential accessory use. A free-standing cistern or collection structure counts as a detached accessory structure, capping its height at 16 feet and putting it under the same rear and side setback rules as other outbuildings.
Rainwater Cisterns Allowed in Marin County
Few RestrictionsMarin County Code of Ordinances §§ 22.130.030, 22.20.060, 22.20.090
Residential Accessory Uses and Structures (land use). This land use consists of and includes any use that is customarily a part of, and clearly incidental and secondary to, a residence and does not change the character of the residential use. These uses include the following accessory structures, and other similar structures and uses normally associated with a residential use of property: - gar...
Native Plants
Marin County requires a landscaping plan for every discretionary development permit and directs it to favor native species. Section 22.26.040(G) states landscaping 'should be designed to use native plants as much as possible' to protect habitat and endangered species, though the standard is a design objective the Director weighs, not a fixed native-species quota.
Marin County Native Plant Landscaping Preference
Light RestrictionsMarin County Development Code §§ 22.26.020, 22.26.040(G)
22.26.020 - Applicability—Landscaping Plans Required. Landscaping plans shall be required for all discretionary permit applications for new development unless waived by the Director. ... G.Preserve native plant species. Landscaping should be designed to use native plants as much as possible in order to preserve and/or enhance valuable plant habitats, create suitable habitats for wildlife, and p...
Composting
Marin County Code § 7.04.050 exempts homeowners from the county's dump-permit law when they pile up their own garden, tree, shrub and lawn trimmings on their own property to make compost. The same section still requires an authorized-dump permit for hauling other garbage, rubbish or refuse off-site.
Marin County Backyard Garden Compost Exemption
Few RestrictionsMarin County Code of Ordinances § 7.04.050
No person shall dump, bury, deposit, or otherwise dispose of any garbage, rubbish or refuse except at an authorized garbage, rubbish or refuse dump for which a permit has been obtained as required by Section 7.04.020. This section shall not apply to brickbats, cement, plaster, stones, gravel and other similar building materials commonly disposed of at building sites; provided, however, that thi...
Landscaping Rules by City in Marin County
1 cities in Marin County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Marin County ordinances
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