9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 5 cities in Santa Clara County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Santa Clara County weed abatement program requires unmaintained grass and weeds to be cut to 4 inches or less in fire hazard areas. The County Fire Marshal enforces annual abatement, typically with a May deadline.
Santa Clara County regulates tree trimming through Heritage Tree and Hillside ordinances. Light maintenance pruning is allowed, but heritage trees like native oaks require permits for substantial canopy work.
Cal. Pub. Res. Code § 4291
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 ... Fuels shall be maintained and spaced in a condition so that a wildfire would be unlikely to i...
Santa Clara County requires a tree removal permit for heritage trees such as native oaks over 12 inches DBH, trees in hillside zoning districts, and any tree associated with an active development application.
Santa Clara County declares overgrown weeds, dead vegetation, and combustible debris a public nuisance under the weed abatement program. Non-compliant parcels are abated by contractors with costs liened to tax bills.
Valley Water sets countywide water conservation rules and drought stages. Outdoor watering is typically limited to three days per week before 9 AM or after 6 PM, with state law banning non-functional turf.
California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), 23 CCR § 490 et seq.
New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed 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. Usu...
California AB 1750 Rainwater Capture Act allows rooftop rainwater harvesting without a water rights permit. Santa Clara County permits rain barrels freely, with building permits required for tanks over 5,000 gallons.
AB 1750 (2012) — Rainwater Capture Act
This bill would additionally authorize a landscape contractor working within the classification of his or her license to enter into a prime contract for the construction of a rainwater capture system, as defined, if the system is used exclusively for landscape irrigation or as a water supply for a fountain, pond, or similar decorative water feature in a landscaping project. ... [Existing law pr...
Santa Clara County encourages California native plants with Valley Water rebates for turf conversions. MWELO requires 75 percent low-water plants in new landscapes, and heritage native oaks are protected countywide.
Santa Clara County permits artificial turf in residential yards, and Civil Code 4735 protects drought-tolerant landscaping from HOA bans. Permeable backing, setbacks, and VHFHSZ fire separation apply.
Cal. Civ. Code § 4735
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 that have t...
Santa Clara County Code Title C and California SB-1383 require residents and businesses to separate organic waste from trash, either through curbside green-bin service or backyard composting. The county's Home Composting Education Program teaches techniques and offers discounted bins.
5 cities in Santa Clara County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
2 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
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
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Santa Clara County Ordinance Hub →