9 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 10 cities in Ventura County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Unincorporated Ventura County has no general cosmetic lawn-height limit, but the Ventura County Fire Protection District requires dry grass and weeds near structures to be cut down as a fire hazard. In Very High Fire Hazard zones, grass and native brush must be reduced to about three inches in height.
Trimming a protected tree in unincorporated Ventura County can require a tree permit. Pruning oaks, sycamores, and other protected trees beyond specified limits, or encroaching into the protected zone, is regulated under the County Tree Protection Ordinance (Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance section 8107-25).
Cal. Pub. Resources Code § 4291
4291. (a) 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, except as provided in subparagraph (B). The amount of fuel modification necessary sha...
Removing a protected tree in unincorporated Ventura County requires a tree permit. Oaks and sycamores 9.5 inches or more in circumference, any tree 90 inches or more, and historic or scenic-overlay native trees are protected under Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance section 8107-25, with mitigation required for removals.
The Ventura County Fire Protection District requires property owners in unincorporated areas to abate hazardous weeds, dry grass, and brush as a fire hazard. Year-round clearance is required within 200 feet of structures and 10 feet of combustible fences or roadways, enforced through the Fire Hazard Reduction Program.
Ventura County's Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance landscaping rules (adopted March 2021) require new and rehabilitated landscapes to meet California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). New landscapes of 500+ square feet and retrofits of 2,500+ square feet must comply. Local water districts also set day-to-day use rules.
Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, § 490 et seq. (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance)
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are ...
Rainwater harvesting is allowed and encouraged in unincorporated Ventura County. Collecting rooftop rainwater for landscape irrigation needs no state water-right permit under California's Rainwater Capture Act (AB 1750). Simple rain barrels are generally permit-free; larger cisterns or plumbed systems may need a building or plumbing permit.
California Water Code §§ 10570-10574 (Rainwater Capture Act of 2012, AB 1750)
This part shall be known, and may be cited, as the Rainwater Capture Act of 2012. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (a) As California has grown and developed, the amount of stormwater flowing off buildings, parking lots, roads, and other impervious surfaces into surface water streams, flood channels, and storm sewers has increased, thereby reducing the volume of water all...
Ventura County encourages native and pollinator-friendly plants. The 2021 Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance landscaping update promotes native plants supporting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and MWELO water-budget rules favor low-water natives. Native plants are welcomed, though Fire District rules limit certain vegetation near homes.
California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), CCR Title 23 § 490 et seq.
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are ...
Ventura County's Non-Coastal Zoning Ordinance landscaping rules do not ban artificial turf, but synthetic turf usually does not count toward landscape or water-efficiency requirements the way living plants and permeable surfaces do. Install on permit-required projects with County review; basic residential installs may still need building or grading approval.
California Civil Code § 4735
(a) 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 ha...
Backyard composting is allowed and encouraged in unincorporated Ventura County. Under SB 1383, the County requires residents and businesses to participate in organic-waste recycling, with curbside organics collection in unincorporated areas effective January 1, 2022. Free compost and mulch are available to residents.
California SB 1383 (Lara, 2016) — Public Resources Code Chapter 13.1, §§ 42652-42654
(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following: (1) Short-lived climate pollutants, such as black carbon, fluorinated gases, and methane, are powerful climate forcers that have a dramatic and detrimental effect on air quality, public health, and climate change. (2) These pollutants create a warming influence on the climate that is many times more potent than that of carbon dioxide....
10 cities in Ventura County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
6 verified rules • Composting, Grass Height Limits
9 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Composting
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
8 verified rules • Artificial Turf, Grass Height Limits
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