9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Sacramento County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Sacramento County has no fixed lawn-height number for living, maintained grass. Instead, dead/overgrown vegetation is regulated as a nuisance: dead vegetation over 12 inches tall covering more than 50% of a front or side yard visible from the street is a code violation, and fire-season weed clearance is enforced by Metro Fire.
In the unincorporated urban area, pruning a protected tree (native oaks, landmark trees, and other regulated trees) generally requires a County tree permit, just like removal. Work on branches, limbs, or roots over two inches in diameter must be done by an ISA Certified Arborist or Tree Worker. Routine pruning of unprotected trees is unregulated.
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...
Removing a protected tree, especially a native oak, landmark tree, or public tree, in the unincorporated urban area requires a County tree permit under County Code Chapter 19.12. Unpermitted removal is a misdemeanor and public nuisance and can require in-kind replacement or payment into the Tree Preservation Fund.
In unincorporated Sacramento County, weed abatement is run by the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District during fire season. Weeds must be cut to one inch or less (cuttings removed) on residential parcels under half an acre, and a 30-foot clearance maintained around structures. County Code Chapter 17.12 (Weed Control) backs enforcement.
Outdoor watering rules depend on your water provider. Sacramento Suburban Water District prohibits irrigation from noon to 6 p.m. and within 48 hours of measurable rain. Statewide, the State Water Board permanently bans runoff, hosing hard surfaces, and other water waste for all Californians regardless of district.
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 in California and not separately restricted by Sacramento County. Under the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750), residential roof-to-barrel/cistern systems for outdoor use generally need no building or plumbing permit. Larger or non-standard systems may require permits and must avoid creating mosquito breeding or nuisances.
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. The County zoning code's landscape standards emphasize native and water-wise plants, and the Sacramento County Water Agency's Cash for Grass program pays $1.00 per square foot (up to $2,000 residential) to replace lawn with low-water, non-invasive landscaping plus drip irrigation.
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 ...
Artificial turf is allowed in unincorporated Sacramento County but is not counted as required landscaping by right. Under the Zoning Code landscape standards, artificial turf and other artificial-surface materials may be combined with required landscape areas only when approved through Design Review, and cannot replace required planting areas.
Under state law SB 1383, Sacramento County provides mandatory weekly curbside organics collection for unincorporated residents. The green-waste cart became an organics cart accepting food scraps, food-soiled paper, untreated wood, and yard trimmings starting July 4, 2022. Home (backyard) composting is encouraged as a complementary option.
10 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
5 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
5 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
7 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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