9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in Riverside County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Riverside County has no fixed lawn-grass-height number for ornamental yards. Instead, the County Fire Department enforces hazardous-vegetation abatement (Ordinances 695 and 772): dry grass and flammable weeds on unimproved and adjacent vacant parcels must be cleared to create defensible space, generally up to 100 feet around structures.
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.
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...
In unincorporated Riverside County, removing most trees on your private lot needs no permit, but Ordinance 559 protects living native trees on parcels larger than one-half acre above 5,000 feet elevation, requiring a Planning Department permit. Oaks are protected during development, and right-of-way trees cannot be removed without county authorization.
Unincorporated Riverside County requires owners to abate hazardous weeds and flammable vegetation under County Ordinances 695 and 772. Ordinance 772 covers dead orchards, groves, and vineyards plus dry grass; parcels over 5 acres need 100-ft perimeter clearance and 40-ft cleared paths around 5-acre blocks. Owners get 30 days to comply.
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.
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...
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.
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]
Unincorporated Riverside County encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping through its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (859) and California Friendly Landscaping guide. State law (Civil Code 4735) bars HOAs from prohibiting low-water and native plants. Native trees above 5,000 ft are protected by Ordinance 559.
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.
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...
California's SB 1383 requires diverting organic waste from landfills. In unincorporated Riverside County, where green-cart organics collection is offered, residents must separate food scraps and yard waste; backyard composting and self-haul are allowed alternatives. Some low-population unincorporated areas hold waivers where curbside organics is not yet available.
8 cities in Riverside County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
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
7 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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