8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 7 cities in Sacramento County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Sacramento County Code Chapter 8.12 treats grass or weeds over 6 inches as a public nuisance subject to abatement. Owners receive notice and must cut or the county will abate and lien the property.
Sacramento County has one of Californias strongest Native Oak Tree Ordinances. Pruning of protected native oaks (heritage oaks 36 inch DBH plus) requires a permit and an arborist report. Illegal trimming can trigger fines up to 25,000 dollars per tree.
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...
Removal of protected native oaks in unincorporated Sacramento County requires a Tree Permit and mitigation planting. Heritage oak removal requires discretionary approval and mitigation at ratios up to 12:1.
Sacramento Countys weed abatement program under Chapter 8.12 requires property owners to clear dry weeds, overgrown grass, and combustible vegetation annually. The County Agricultural Commissioner administers enforcement.
Sacramento County and its water providers enforce permanent water waste prohibitions plus drought-response watering schedules. Outdoor watering is generally limited to two or three days per week with no daytime irrigation and no runoff.
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 ...
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in unincorporated Sacramento County. Rooftop collection for outdoor landscape use requires no permit. Larger cistern systems and indoor non-potable use require plumbing permits.
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...
Sacramento County encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping through MWELO and regional water-wise programs. New development over 500 sq ft must meet Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance water budget rules.
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 ...
AB 1572 and Civil Code 4735 protect artificial turf installation in unincorporated Sacramento County. HOAs and the county cannot prohibit drought-tolerant landscaping or artificial turf on residential lots subject to reasonable design standards.
7 cities in Sacramento 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
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
6 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
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