Landscaping Rules in San Benito County, CA (2026)
6 rules for unincorporated San Benito County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Trees and shrubs planted near an unincorporated San Benito County road can't be allowed to overhang the right-of-way more than three feet at full growth, unless the Road Department planted or approved them.
San Benito County Right-of-Way Tree Limits
Some RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 19.27.006
No tree or shrub of any kind may be planted on or adjacent to any county road in such a manner that when reaching full development the outermost limbs of such tree or shrub shall overhang the right-of-way in excess of three feet except trees and shrubs planted by, or with permission of, the Road Department for landscaping or erosion control.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
In unincorporated San Benito County's R-1 and RM residential zones, removing, killing or seriously harming any tree, or grading or filling within its dripline, requires a tree removal permit from the Planning Director.
Tree Removal Permits in Unincorporated San Benito County
Significant RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 25.07.018(C)
(C) Permit required; application requirements. (1) A tree removal permit is required to trench, grade or fill within the dripline of any tree or destroy, kill, remove, or seriously harm, any tree, as defined, on all property, public or private, in the R-1 and RM zones. (2) All tree removal permits shall remain valid for one year from the date of permit issuance. An additional one-year extension...
Weed Ordinances
Unincorporated county land in and near the City of Hollister's borders must be kept free of weeds, grass, and rank growth that create a fire hazard or public-health menace.
San Benito County Weed Abatement Rules
Some RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 19.37.130
No owner or occupant of any parcel within the unincorporated area of San Benito County that is located entirely within the territorial boundaries of the City of Hollister ("county islands"), or partially within the territorial boundaries of the City of Hollister ("county pockets"), or along certain urbanized edges of the City of Hollister, as depicted in the map attached to Ordinance 857 and in...
Water Restrictions
In County Service Area 31, unincorporated San Benito County caps potable and agricultural water use with Board-set monthly allotments instead of scheduled watering days, enforced through flow restriction, fines, or disconnection.
San Benito County CSA 31 Water Allotment Cap
Some RestrictionsSan Benito County Code §§ 15.05.246(A), 15.05.251
(A) The provisions of this Article apply to any person that uses potable or agricultural ("blue-valve") water provided by County Service Area No. 31. ... (A) The Board of Supervisors may establish, by resolution or ordinance, in its discretion, a monthly domestic water allotment of the potable water supplied by the CSA 31 well. ... (B) No person shall use or allow to be used on a parcel domesti...
Native Plants
New development in unincorporated San Benito County must maximize the use of drought-tolerant and California native plant species in its required landscaping plan under § 25.07.011(F)(3)(d), rather than defaulting to thirsty ornamental or non-native planting.
San Benito County Native Plant Landscaping
Some RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 25.07.011(F)(3)(d)
(d) Drought tolerant species and California native species are to be used to the maximum extent possible over non-drought tolerant and nonnative species. 1. The quantity and extent of drought-tolerant species shall be dependent on the climatic zone of the project; 2. Landscaping may include natural features such as rock and stone, non-drought tolerant plants, and structural features such as fou...
Composting
Unincorporated San Benito County exempts properly run backyard garden composting from its solid-waste accumulation ban, as long as the compost stays on-site and doesn't become a nuisance.
San Benito County Backyard Composting Rules
Few RestrictionsSan Benito County Code § 15.01.025(B)(2)
(2) Any properly-conducted garden composting process carried on by a person on his or her own premises producing compost only for use on the premises, unless the operation constitutes a public nuisance.
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