9 rules for unincorporated Trinity County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Trinity County has no ornamental lawn grass-height ordinance. Instead, its Vegetation Management Ordinance (Code Ch. 8.68) and the state defensible-space law (PRC § 4291) target dry grass, brush and flammable vegetation as a fire-hazard nuisance, requiring clearance around occupied structures in this almost entirely forested, fire-prone county.
Trinity County has no general ordinance restricting how residents trim trees on their own land. Routine trimming is unregulated, while fire-driven 'fuel modification' (limbing, brush removal) is encouraged under the Fire Safe Ordinance (Code Ch. 8.30) and required defensible space under PRC § 4291.
Trinity County has no countywide private tree-removal permit. Removing trees on most rural land is unregulated by the county, but commercial timber harvest is governed by the state Forest Practice Act, and removing larger trees inside the Scenic Conservation Overlay Zone (Code Ch. 17.25) can require a use permit.
Trinity County's Vegetation Management Ordinance (Code Ch. 8.68, Ord. No. 1300) declares excessive dry grass, brush, dead trees and other flammable vegetation a public nuisance, especially in the wildland-urban interface, and lets the county order abatement with cost recovery on the tax roll. It implements state defensible-space law PRC § 4291.
Trinity County Code § 8.68.040(C)
Any accumulation of dry grasses or other flammable vegetation within one hundred feet of any occupied structure, as required by Public Resource Code Section 4291.
Trinity County has no countywide lawn-watering day/time schedule. Outdoor water use is shaped by the county Water Quality Control Ordinance (Code Ch. 8.60), California State Water Board permanent water-waste prohibitions, and any rules of a local water district. Many residents rely on private wells and springs.
Trinity County has no ordinance restricting rooftop rainwater harvesting. Capturing rainwater in barrels and cisterns for outdoor, non-potable use is allowed and encouraged under California's Rainwater Capture Act of 2012 (AB 1750), which bars local permit requirements for rain-barrel systems.
Trinity County does not mandate native-plant landscaping for ordinary homes. However, the county cannabis-cultivation rules (Code Ch. 17.43G) require biological surveys protecting special-status native plants and removal of invasive/noxious weeds, and California's MWELO encourages low-water and native plantings on larger new landscapes.
Trinity County has no ordinance prohibiting or specially regulating artificial turf. Synthetic lawns are allowed on residential property, subject only to general building/grading rules. California Civil Code § 4735 (AB 349) also bars HOAs from prohibiting drought-tolerant landscaping, including artificial turf.
Trinity County has no ordinance banning backyard composting; home composting of yard and food scraps is allowed. California's SB 1383 organic-waste recycling law applies statewide, but as a rural county under 70,000 residents, Trinity qualifies for rural waivers/extensions (now to 2037 under AB 2902).
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