Landscaping Rules in Placer County, CA (2026)
7 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Placer County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Routine trimming of your own trees in unincorporated Placer County generally needs no permit, but fire defensible space rules require limbing trees up six feet from the ground, and trimming that materially damages a protected native tree can trigger the Tree Preservation Ordinance.
Placer County Tree Trimming & Limbing Rules
Few RestrictionsPlacer County Code §§ 9.32.160(A)(1)(b), 9.32.160(A)(3)-(4), 9.32.160(B)(3)
Tree branches need to be limbed up six feet from the ground... Remove all portions of trees within ten feet (10') of chimney and/or stovepipe outlets. Maintain trees adjacent to or overhanging a structure free of dead/dying wood... All trees within ten feet (10') of roadway frontage must be pruned to at least six feet above grade.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Removing a protected tree in covered parts of unincorporated Placer County requires a tree permit under the Woodland Conservation ordinance. Homeowners not tied to a discretionary project apply for a minor tree permit at least 10 days before the work, with the county arborist able to issue it in the field.
Placer County Protected Tree Removal Permit
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 19.50.070
Except as provided under "exemptions," no person, firm, corporation or county agency shall conduct any development activities within the protected zone of any protected tree on public or private land, or harm, destroy, kill or remove any protected tree unless authorized by a tree permit or as permitted pursuant to approval of a discretionary project. A minor tree permit may also be issued "in t...
Weed Ordinances
Unincorporated Placer County's Hazardous Vegetation and Combustible Material Abatement ordinance (County Code 9.32, Part 4) requires owners to clear weeds and brush for wildfire safety. Annual grasses and weeds must be kept at four inches or less; non-compliance leads to county abatement and cost recovery.
Placer County Weed Abatement & Hazardous Vegetation
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 9.32.160 (Ord. 6015-B, 2020)
It shall be the duty of every owner, occupant, and person in control of any improved or unimproved parcel of land or interest therein, which is located in the unincorporated territory of the county of Placer, to abate therefrom, and from all private roadways, all combustible material and hazardous vegetation constituting a fire hazard that may endanger or damage neighboring property.
Water Restrictions
Day-to-day watering schedules in unincorporated Placer County are set by your water provider (such as PCWA), not the county. The county adopted a Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance for new and rehabilitated landscapes, and California's statewide efficiency framework (AB 1668/SB 606) applies on top.
Placer County & California Landscape Water Restrictions
Some RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 15.75.010 (Ord. 5887-B, 2017)
The Water Efficient Landscaping Requirements outlined here apply to all of the following landscape projects: New landscapes in single-family residential, multi-family residential, commercial, industrial, and public agency projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet requiring a permit, plan check, or design review. Rehabilitated landscapes exceeding 2,500 s...
Rainwater Harvesting
Placer County's landscape ordinance treats rainwater harvesting as encouraged, not required. Section 15.75.090 recommends capture and infiltration capacity sized to the one-inch or 85th-percentile 24-hour storm and lists rain gardens, cisterns and catchment systems as optional design elements. Friable soil for water retention is the one mandatory piece.
Placer County Rainwater Harvesting Guidance
Few RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 15.75.090
1. Stormwater management practices minimize runoff and increase infiltration which recharges groundwater and improves water quality. Implementing stormwater best management practices into the landscape and grading design plans to minimize runoff and to increase on-site rainwater retention and infiltration are encouraged. 2. Project applicants shall refer to the local agency or Regional Water Qu...
Native Plants
Placer County's water-efficient landscape ordinance directs applicants to select water-conserving plants and specifically favors local native species. Any plant is allowed as long as the landscape's estimated water use stays within the project's maximum applied water allowance.
Placer County Native Plant Landscaping Rules
Light RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 15.75.020(2)(b)(ii)(1)
Any plant may be selected for the landscape providing the Estimated Total Water Use in the landscape area does not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance. Methods to achieve water efficiency shall include one or more of the following: (a) Protection and preservation of native species and natural vegetation; (b) Selection of water-conserving plant, tree and turf species, especially local nat...
Composting
Homeowners in unincorporated Placer County may compost their own household waste, but Section 8.16.090 requires it to stay nuisance-free, odor-free, and vector-free, and it only covers waste generated by that household. Bringing in garbage from anywhere else to compost is prohibited.
Placer County Home Composting Rules
Light RestrictionsPlacer County Code § 8.16.090
Composting on a noncommercial individual homeowner basis shall be accomplished in a nuisance-free, odor-free, vector-free manner. Household garbage shall be handled in such a manner that breeding and harborage areas are eliminated. This operation shall include only those garbage wastes generated from the person's own domestic residence. All other garbage wastes are prohibited.
Landscaping Rules by City in Placer County
1 cities in Placer County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Placer County ordinances
See every category we cover for Placer County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Placer County Ordinance Hub →