9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 cities in San Diego County, California.
Verified from official government sources
San Diego County requires vegetation in defensible space zones to be maintained at no more than 6 inches above ground. General property maintenance standards apply throughout unincorporated areas. Overgrown lawns may be cited as a nuisance by Code Compliance.
Tree trimming in unincorporated San Diego County is required for defensible space maintenance (branches pruned to 6 feet above ground), utility clearance, and road visibility. Protected native trees may require consultation with County PDS before major pruning.
California Public Resources Code § 4291 (defensible space — vegetation management around structures)
99] ( Chapter 3 added by Stats. 1965, Ch. 1144. ) 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 ...
Tree removal in unincorporated San Diego County is regulated by the Resource Protection Ordinance and defensible space requirements. Significant native trees may require permits for removal. Trees in defensible space may need to be removed or pruned with branches 6 feet above ground. Stumps must be cut no higher than 8 inches.
San Diego County requires property owners in unincorporated areas to maintain vegetation and prevent weed growth that creates fire hazards or nuisances. The County issues annual weed abatement notices. Vegetation must be cut to no more than 6 inches above ground in defensible space zones.
California Food and Agricultural Code § 5004 (definition of "noxious weed" for plant quarantine and pest control)
California Code, FAC 5004. skip to content home accessibility FAQ feedback sitemap login x Quick Search: Bill Number Bill Keyword Home Bill Information California Law Publications Other Resources My Subscriptions My Favorites California Law >> >> Code Section Code Section Code: Select Code CONS BPC CIV CCP COM CORP EDC ELEC EVID FAM FIN FGC FAC GOV HNC HSC INS LAB MVC PEN PROB PCC PRC PUC RTC S...
San Diego County enforces outdoor water use restrictions in unincorporated areas. Landscape irrigation is limited to before 10 AM and after 6 PM. Runoff, overspray, and watering impervious surfaces are prohibited. Turf that cannot be irrigated without waste is not allowed in new landscaping.
California Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) (Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, Gov. Code § 65591 et seq.)
by the 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 MWEL...
Rainwater harvesting is legal and encouraged in San Diego County. California law (AB 1750) explicitly allows residential rainwater capture. No county permit is required for rain barrels. The County offers rebates for rain barrel installations through water conservation programs.
California AB 1750 (2012, Rendon) — Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (Water Code § 10570 et seq.)
to read: 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...
San Diego County encourages native and drought-tolerant plant use in landscaping. Section 86.709 requires water-efficient landscaping for new development. The County prohibits certain high-water-use invasive species. Native San Diego plants can reduce water use by 70–80% compared to turf.
California Department of Water Resources — Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) (Water Conservation in Landscaping Act, Gov. Code § 65591 et seq.)
by the 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 MWEL...
Artificial turf is not eligible for the County's turf replacement rebate program. The County encourages replacing turf with living drought-tolerant plants and permeable surfaces. Artificial turf installation does not require a special county permit but must meet drainage requirements.
California Civil Code § 4735 (common interest developments — HOAs may not prohibit low water-using plants, artificial turf, or compliance with water-efficient landscape ordinances)
rticle 1 added by Stats. 2012, Ch. 180, Sec. 2. ) 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 exis...
Backyard composting is permitted in unincorporated San Diego County. SB 1383 requires organic waste diversion statewide. Composting should avoid attracting wildlife in rural foothill areas.
California Health and Safety Code § 39730.6 (SB 1383)
(a) Consistent with Section 39730.5, methane emissions reduction goals shall include the following targets to reduce the landfill disposal of organics: (1) A 50-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2020. (2) A 75-percent reduction in the level of the statewide disposal of organic waste from the 2014 level by 2025. (b) Except as provide...
9 cities in San Diego County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
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