Landscaping Rules in Shasta County, CA (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Shasta County, California.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Shasta County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Tree Trimming

Unincorporated Shasta County has no general permit requirement to trim or prune trees on private property. Trimming is most often driven by the County's defensible space ordinance (Chapter 8.10) and statewide PRC 4291 fire-clearance rules, which require limbing up trees and spacing canopies near structures and along roads.

Shasta County Tree Trimming Rules

Some Restrictions

Shasta County Code Sections 8.10.040 and 8.10.050 (Ordinance SCC 2025-03, adopted August 2025)

On all parcels (except timber production parcels), a responsible party shall maintain defensible space of 100 feet from the exterior perimeter of any improvement on the responsible party's parcel. Where the distance from the improvement to the property line is less than the required defensible space, the responsible party shall only be required to provide the required defensible space up to the...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Weed Ordinances

Unincorporated Shasta County has no general aesthetic lawn-height limit, but its defensible space ordinance (County Code Chapter 8.10) caps weeds and annual grasses at six inches when they are removed as fire fuel within required clearance areas. Statewide PRC 4291 also requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures.

Shasta County Grass Height Limits

Some Restrictions

Shasta County Code Sections 8.10.040 and 8.10.050(A) (Ordinance SCC 2025-03, adopted August 2025)

Compliance with the defensible space requirements shall be achieved through the vegetation management and removal as provided here. Vegetation removal shall be conducted using mowing, cutting, grazing, or trimming methods that minimize surface disturbance, maintain root structure integrity, and prevent soil erosion. Tree stumps shall be cut no higher than eight (8) inches above ground level. We...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Water Restrictions

Outdoor watering in unincorporated Shasta County is governed mainly by statewide rules and by individual water providers, not a single county ordinance. California's permanent prohibitions on wasteful water use (SWRCB) and the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance apply, and local districts set their own drought stages and irrigation schedules.

Shasta County Outdoor Water Restrictions

Some Restrictions

California Department of Water Resources - Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance program page (implementing 23 CCR Sections 490-495 under Gov Code Section 65595)

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. New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The MWEL...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Landscaping Rules by City in Shasta County

1 cities in Shasta County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

ReddingPop. 93,611

5 verified rules • Composting, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees

All Shasta County ordinances

See every category we cover for Shasta County: parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.

Shasta County Ordinance Hub →