Landscaping Rules in Sacramento County, CA (2026)

Cal. Pub. Resources Code § 4291 (Defensible Space — Vegetation Clearance 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, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary sha...

Sacramento County Code § 19.12.060 (Tree Preservation Ordinance - Tree Permit)

No person shall trench, grade or fill within the dripline of any tree or destroy, kill or remove any tree as defined, in the designated urban area of the unincorporated area of Sacramento County, on any property, public or private, without a tree permit, or unless authorized as a condition of a discretionary project approval by the Board of Supervisors, County Planning Commission, Zoning Board ...

Sacramento County Code § 16.18.401(C)(1)

C. Landscaping, or the lack thereof, that is detrimental to aesthetic and property values in the neighborhood or otherwise detrimental to the public welfare as evidenced by any one or more of the following conditions: 1. The accumulation of weeds, trees, debris or other vegetation that is overgrown onto a public right-of-way at least 12 inches, or is completely dead, over 12 inches in heig...

California Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO)

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 choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are ...

AB 1750 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012); California Water Code §§ 10570–10574

PART 2.4. Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 10570. This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. 10573. Solely for the purposes of this part, and unless the context otherwise requires, the following definitions govern the construction of this part: (a) "Developed or developing lands" means lands that have one or more of the characteristics described in subparagra...

California DWR — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (23 CCR § 490 et seq.)

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 choosing climate adapted plants, improving ...

Sacramento County Zoning Code § 5.2.4.C.7

Other options for landscaping the required yard areas, including the use of additional hardscape materials, artificial turf, or other landscape elements may be approved through the Design Review process. 8. Section titled “8.” [DELETED 09-09-2022] 9. Landscaping Adjacent to Soundwalls. Section titled “9. Landscaping Adjacent to Soundwalls.” Earthmounds. When the sound and visual attenuation...