9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 4 cities in Sonoma County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Sonoma County has no general lawn-height limit, but its hazardous-vegetation rules (County Code Chapter 13A) require dry grasses cut to 6 inches or less within 30 feet of structures, and 4 inches or less within 10 feet of roadway frontage, for wildfire defensible space.
Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A (Ord. No. 6148)
Zone 1 (LRA): Cut grasses to 6 inches or less. Roadway frontage (LRA): Trim grasses to four inches (4") or less. Zone 2 (SRA): Maximum 4 inches height required. Prune trees to 6 feet from the ground.
Routine pruning of your own trees generally needs no permit, but Sonoma County's defensible-space rules require trees pruned 6 feet up from the ground within 100 feet of structures, branches cleared 6 feet above roads, and all tree parts removed within 10 feet of chimneys. Heavy cutting of protected native trees can trigger tree-permit rules.
Sonoma County Zoning Code Sec. 26-88-010(m); Chapter 26D
The Tree Protection Ordinance (Code Section 26-88-010(m)) requires a zoning permit and mitigation (e.g. replanting, preservation or in-lieu fees) when removing certain tree species above 6 inches diameter. The updated ordinance includes 31 tree species with trunks six inches in diameter or greater.
Unincorporated Sonoma County requires a permit to remove most protected native trees 6 inches in diameter or larger. A ministerial zoning permit covers smaller trees; a discretionary use permit is needed for hardwoods 36 inches or larger and redwoods 48 inches or larger. Mitigation fees apply, starting at $510 per arboreal value point.
Sonoma County Code Sec. 26-88-010(M) (Tree Protection Ordinance)
4. Permit requirement. a. Unless a use permit is required per subsection A.4.b. or an exemption applies under subsection B, a ministerial zoning permit is required for removal of protected trees. b. Unless an exemption applies under subsection B, a use permit is required for the following: 1. removal of redwoods with single stem d.b.h. exceeding 48" 2. removal of oaks and other hardwoods with s...
Sonoma County Code Chapter 13A declares hazardous vegetation and combustible material on unincorporated parcels a public nuisance. Owners must abate it - including cutting dry grasses and creating defensible space to 100 feet around structures. The County can inspect, order abatement, and lien properties for unpaid costs.
Sonoma County Code Sec. 13A-1; Sec. 13A-4 (Ord. No. 6148)
The purpose of this chapter is to provide for the removal of hazardous vegetation and combustible material situated in the unincorporated areas of the county so as to reduce the potential for fire and to promote the public health, safety and welfare of the community.
On Sonoma County-operated water systems (Fitch Mountain, Freestone, Jenner, Salmon Creek), outdoor watering of ornamental landscaping is limited to two days a week - Tuesday and Friday - during early-morning and late-evening hours. Most county properties are on private wells or other water providers and instead follow state (SWRCB) and water-supplier rules.
Sonoma County Code Chapter 7D3 (Water Efficient Landscape)
For development after October 4, 2022, grass lawns are prohibited unless compliant with Water Efficient Landscape Regulations. Grass lawns shall be no greater than 2,500 square feet for all sites unless compliant with Water Efficient Landscape Regulations.
Sonoma County encourages rainwater capture. Simple rain barrels for outdoor irrigation generally need no permit, but systems that collect rainwater for potable (indoor) use require a permit under Appendix K of the California Plumbing Code, which the County adopted in January 2017. Related graywater systems have their own tiered permit rules.
Cal. Water Code Sec. 10574 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012)
Use of rainwater collected from rooftops does not require a water right permit pursuant to Section 1201.
Sonoma County does not mandate native plants for private yards. For projects subject to its Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Code Chapter 7D3), landscapes must meet a water budget that favors low-water, climate-appropriate planting. Voluntary programs like Russian River-Friendly Landscaping promote natives but are not legally required.
As of late 2025 there is no ban on artificial turf in unincorporated Sonoma County, but the County has raised environmental and health concerns and directed staff to develop a model ordinance that could let jurisdictions consider a moratorium. Installations tied to permitted projects must still satisfy the County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Cal. Government Code Sec. 53087.7
(a) A city, including a charter city, county, or city and county, shall not enact any ordinance or regulation, or enforce any existing ordinance or regulation, that prohibits the installation of drought-tolerant landscaping using living plant material on residential property. (b) For the purposes of this section, "drought-tolerant landscaping" shall not include the installation of synthetic gra...
Under California SB 1383 (effective Jan 1, 2022), all Sonoma County residents and businesses must keep organic waste - food scraps and yard trimmings - out of the landfill, typically by using the green organics cart. Backyard home composting is encouraged and can reduce what you set out. The mandate is a state law implemented locally by Zero Waste Sonoma.
Cal. Public Resources Code Sec. 42652.5 (SB 1383)
The department, in consultation with the State Air Resources Board, shall adopt regulations to achieve the organic waste reduction goals for 2020 and 2025 established in Section 39730.6 of the Health and Safety Code. [...] not less than 20 percent of edible food that is currently disposed of is recovered for human consumption by 2025.
4 cities in Sonoma County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
4 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
4 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
4 verified rules • Grass Height Limits, Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
7 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
See every category we cover for Sonoma County — parking, noise, fences, fires, animals, pools, and more.
Sonoma County Ordinance Hub →