Landscaping Rules in Stanislaus County, CA (2026)
5 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Stanislaus County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Stanislaus County bars planting trees, shrubs or vines within 10 feet of a county road right-of-way, 15 feet for walnut and large ornamental shade trees, under Code § 11.27.030. If growth already encroaches and blocks sight lines or the roadway, the county road commissioner can order the owner to remove it or have it removed at the owner's expense.
Stanislaus County Roadside Tree Setback Rule
Some RestrictionsStanislaus County Code § 11.27.030
In order to prevent trees, shrubs and vines from encroaching on county roads, it is unlawful to plant, or cause to be planted, a tree, shrub or vine less than ten feet from the edge of the right-of-way to the trunk or stem of the tree, shrub or vine. For large trees such as walnut trees and large ornamental shade trees, the setback is fifteen feet from the trunk to the right-of-way line. If any...
Weed Ordinances
Stanislaus County has no fixed inch limit for grass or weeds; instead Chapter 9.20 declares weeds and rank growth a public nuisance whenever they become a fire menace or a menace to health or safety, and the county fire warden can order removal within seven days.
Stanislaus County Weed and Grass Nuisance Rule
Some RestrictionsStanislaus County Code §§ 9.20.010, 9.20.030(C) (Weed Control)
All dirt, rubbish, weeds, or other rank growths located upon any buildings, grounds or lots with all zoning districts as described in Title 21 of this code, except A-2 (Exclusive Agricultural) with a minimum parcel designation of ten acres or greater which are designated as agriculture on the land-use element of the general plan as established by the board of supervisors, which constitute a fir...
Water Restrictions
Stanislaus County's standing water conservation ordinance bans outdoor watering between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily and limits it to two days a week by address parity, odd addresses on Wednesday and Sunday, even addresses on Tuesday and Saturday, under Code § 14.12.020. No outdoor watering is allowed at all on Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays.
Stanislaus County Odd-Even Day Watering Rule
Some RestrictionsStanislaus County Code § 14.12.020(A)–(D)
No outdoor water use between 9:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. on any day. ... Dwellings or establishments with odd number street addresses shall water only on Wednesdays and Sundays. ... Dwellings or establishments with even number street addresses shall water only on Tuesdays and Saturdays. ... No outdoor water use on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, and no outdoor irrigation during and within 48 hours ...
Native Plants
Stanislaus County pushes new landscaping toward native and drought-tolerant plants rather than mandating a specific native-species list. Section 21.102.040(B) requires at least ninety percent of the plants used in non-turf areas of a required landscape plan to be 'water conserving': defined in Section 21.102.030(C) as species that survive on limited supplemental water once established in their planting location.
Stanislaus County Drought-Tolerant Landscape Rule
Some RestrictionsStanislaus County Code § 21.102.030(C); § 21.102.040(B)
"Water conserving plant" means any plant which exhibits drought tolerant characteristics, that is to say, will, in designed location, survive with limited supplemental water. Hybrid dwarf type fescues and warm season grasses shall be considered water conserving. ... It is required that at least ninety percent of the plants selected in non-turf areas be well-suited to the climate of the region a...
Composting
Stanislaus County lets residents manage yard and food waste on site instead of hauling it to the curb, but caps any "community composting" operation at one hundred cubic yards of feedstock and compost and seven hundred fifty square feet on site at one time, per Section 9.02.010's definition drawn from state regulations.
Stanislaus County Community Composting Size Cap
Light RestrictionsStanislaus County Code § 9.02.010 (Community Composting definition)
"Community composting" means any activity that composts green material, agricultural material, food material, and vegetative food material, alone or in combination, and the total amount of feedstock and compost on site at any one time does not exceed one hundred cubic yards and seven hundred fifty square feet, as specified in 14 CCR Section 17855(a)(4); or, as otherwise defined by 14 CCR Sectio...
Landscaping Rules by City in Stanislaus County
1 cities in Stanislaus County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Stanislaus County ordinances
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