Landscaping Rules in Riverside County, CA (2026)

6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Riverside County, California.

Verified from official government sources

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

Tree Trimming

Unincorporated Riverside County imposes no general permit to prune trees on your own private property. Trimming within the public right-of-way (street trees) requires authorization, and fire-safety abatement may require limbing-up vegetation for defensible space. Native trees above 5,000 ft elevation are separately protected by Ordinance 559.

Riverside County Tree Trimming Rules

Some Restrictions

Cal. Pub. Res. Code Sec. 4291 (Defensible Space)

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, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary sha...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

Removing a living native tree from land over half an acre above 5,000 feet elevation in unincorporated Riverside County requires a planning department permit, with narrow exemptions for hazard, dead, or already-permitted removals.

Riverside County Tree Removal Permit

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 12.24.010

No person shall remove any living native tree on any parcel or property greater than one-half acre in size, located in an area above five thousand (5,000) feet in elevation and within the unincorporated area of the county, without first obtaining a permit to do so, unless exempted by the provisions of Section 12.24.040.

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Water Restrictions

Day-to-day outdoor watering in unincorporated Riverside County is governed mainly by California State Water Board permanent prohibitions and the watering rules of your local water district, not a single county ordinance. Statewide bans prohibit watering within 48 hours of rain, hosing hard surfaces, runoff, and nozzle-less car washing.

Riverside County Water Use Restrictions

Heavy Restrictions

California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (DWR)

Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance Low water using plants, mulch, and efficient irrigation save water while making habitat for pollinators. DWR/2015 About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by c...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Rainwater Harvesting

Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in unincorporated Riverside County. Under California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, no state water-right permit is needed to collect rooftop rainwater for outdoor non-potable use in rain barrels or cisterns. Larger or plumbed systems may need local building approval.

Riverside County Rainwater Harvesting Rules

Some Restrictions

California Water Code Section 10574 (Part 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 - AB 1750)

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.) 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]

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Native Plants

Any plot plan, conditional use permit, public use permit, surface mining permit or subdivision in unincorporated Riverside County that triggers a landscaping plan must follow Section 17.188.070, which directs that drought-tolerant and native plant species be used to the maximum extent possible over nondrought-tolerant, nonnative species, with the mix scaled to the project's climatic zone.

Riverside County Native Plant Landscaping Rule

Some Restrictions

Riverside County Code § 17.188.070(A), (F)(3)(d)

A.Application Requirements. A landscaping plan, landscaping grading plan, irrigation plan and shading plan shall be required for all plot plans, conditional use permits, public use permits, surface mining permits, subdivisions, and any other permit when the planning director deems it necessary. ... d.Drought tolerant species and native species are to be used to the maximum extend possible over ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Artificial Turf

Artificial turf is allowed in unincorporated Riverside County, and California Civil Code 4735 prevents HOAs from banning synthetic grass used as a low-water alternative. A new state law, AB 1572, will phase out potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf at non-residential and HOA common areas, not single-family lawns.

Riverside County Artificial Turf Rules

Few Restrictions

California Civil Code Section 4735 (Article 1. Protected Uses - Common Interest Developments)

(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...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗