8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 8 cities in San Bernardino County, California.
Verified from official government sources
San Bernardino County requires grass and weeds under 6 inches in maintained areas. In fire hazard zones, PRC 4291 mandates grass under 4 inches within 100 feet of structures.
San Bernardino County requires trees overhanging sidewalks trimmed to 8 feet and streets to 14 feet. In fire zones, PRC 4291 requires 10-ft chimney clearance and removal of ladder fuels.
San Bernardino County requires CDFW permits for Joshua tree removal and county permits for trees in the public right-of-way. Private property removal is generally permitted without a permit.
San Bernardino County Code Ch. 23.12 declares weeds, dry grass, and rubbish a public nuisance. Vacant lots must be cleared annually or face forced abatement with tax liens for non-compliance.
Cal. Food & Agricultural Code Sec. 5004 (Noxious Weed — Definition)
5004. "Noxious weed" means any species of plant that is, or is liable to be, troublesome, aggressive, intrusive, detrimental, or destructive to agriculture, silviculture, or important native species, and difficult to control or eradicate, which the director, by regulation, designates to be a noxious weed. In determining whether or not a species shall be designated a noxious weed for the purpose...
San Bernardino County follows State Water Board drought rules and local agency schedules. AB 1572 bans irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial sites in phases from 2027.
CA DWR Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) — Local Adoption Required
Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Usually, local agencies that adopt WELOs create a more stringent ordinance than MWELO. The p...
Rainwater harvesting is legal in San Bernardino County under the CA Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. Rain barrels up to 50 gallons need no permit. Cisterns over 5,000 gallons require permits.
California Water Code Sections 10570-10574 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, AB 1750)
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. 10571. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) As California has grown and developed, the amount of stormwater flowing off buildings, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces into surface water streams, flood channels, and storm sewers h...
San Bernardino County encourages native and drought-tolerant landscaping under MWELO. Joshua trees and many desert natives are protected, requiring a CDFW permit for removal in most cases.
California 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 ...
San Bernardino County allows artificial turf residentially and commercially. CA Civil Code 4735 bars HOAs from banning synthetic turf. Fire-rated turf is recommended in fire hazard zones.
Cal. Civil Code Sec. 4735 (HOA May Not Prohibit Artificial Turf or Low-Water Plants)
4735. (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 t...
8 cities in San Bernardino 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
7 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
7 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
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