Landscaping Rules in Santa Clara County, CA (2026)

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 Ordinance Code § C16-3

It shall be unlawful for any person to remove any protected tree on any private or public property in designated areas of the County without having first obtained an administrative permit...from the County Planning Office or an encroachment permit...from the Department of Roads and Airports.

Santa Clara County Ordinance Code § B38-11(a)

(a)The property contains overgrown, diseased, dead, or decayed trees, weeds, or other vegetation and that vegetation also:(1)Constitutes a fire hazard or other condition that is dangerous to the public health, safety, or welfare;(2)Creates the likelihood for the harboring of Vectors or other similar nuisances;(3)Is overgrown onto a public right-of-way at least 12 inches; or(4)Is completely dead...

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...

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...

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 Zoning Ordinance § 4.10.025(D)

Compost bins and refuse containers shall be located no closer than five feet to any property line. Composting activity and refuse storage shall be designed and operated to discourage rodents and pest insects.E.Signs. On-site signs may be installed to provide identification, information and directions relating to the urban agriculture operation. No sign shall be larger than eight square feet in ...