Landscaping Rules in Yolo County, CA (2026)
6 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Yolo County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Tree Trimming
Yolo County Code Sec. 8-2.1005 requires that trees located within 20 feet of intersected street lines have their main trunks trimmed free of branches to a height of 7.5 feet above the curb grade, preserving sight lines for vehicles. The County does not impose a general residential tree-removal permit, but it has adopted a Hazard Tree Removal Program (Title 6, Chapter 22) for fire-damaged trees, and an Oak Woodland Conservation and Enhancement Plan that encourages voluntary protection of oak habitat.
Trees near intersections must be limbed up 7.5 ft above curb
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Civil Code Sec. 3346(a)
For wrongful injuries to timber, trees, or underwood upon the land of another, or removal thereof, the measure of damages is three times such sum as would compensate for the actual detriment, except that where the trespass was casual or involuntary, or that the defendant in any action brought under this section had probable cause to believe that the land on which the trespass was committed was ...
Weed Ordinances
Unincorporated Yolo County does not impose a specific lawn or grass height limit in the County Code. Overgrown vegetation can still be abated as a public nuisance under Title 6, and on parcels in or adjoining wildland fuel, California Public Resources Code Sec. 4291 requires 100 feet of defensible space around structures, with intensified fuel reduction within 5-30 feet.
No grass-height limit; CA PRC 4291 sets 100-ft defensible space
Some RestrictionsCalifornia Public Resources Code Sec. 4291(a)
A person who owns, leases, controls, operates, or maintains a building or structure in, upon, or adjoining a mountainous area, forest-covered lands, brush-covered lands, grass-covered lands, or land that is covered with flammable material, shall at all times do all of the following: (1) Maintain defensible space of 100 feet from each side and from the front and rear of the structure, but not be...
Water Restrictions
Unincorporated Yolo County is subject to a tiered drought-response ordinance at Title 6, Chapter 8 of the Yolo County Code. Under the permanent Level 1 restrictions, potable water cannot be applied to landscapes in a manner causing more than incidental runoff, and landscape watering with sprinklers is prohibited between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Higher levels (up to Level 5, targeting a 50% reduction) can be triggered by the Board of Supervisors during declared drought emergencies.
Level 1 drought: no runoff, no daytime watering 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Heavy RestrictionsCalifornia Water Code Sec. 1058.5 (State Water Board emergency conservation authority)
Any person or entity that violates a regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this section is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) for each day in which the violation occurs. The board may issue emergency regulations regarding water waste, use, diversion, recycling, and conservation. The board must make findings that the regulation addresses water...
Rainwater Harvesting
Yolo County's Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance requires covered landscape projects to keep irrigation and rainfall on-site, and recommends, but does not mandate, rain gardens, cisterns and other rainwater-capture features to boost infiltration and onsite storage.
Rain Gardens, Cisterns Encouraged in Yolo County
Light RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances § 8-3.108(e)
(e) Stormwater Management. (1) The landscape project area shall be graded so that all irrigation and normal rainfall remains within the property lines and does not drain on to non-permeable hardscapes. (2) Rain gardens, cisterns, and other landscape features and practices that increase rainwater capture and create opportunities for infiltration and/or onsite storage are recommended....
Native Plants
Covered landscape projects in unincorporated Yolo County must devote at least 25% of the landscape area to native plants, aside from Special Landscape Areas, under the county's Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance's plant selection standard.
25% Native Plant Minimum in Yolo County
Some RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances § 8-3.108(a)(2)
(a) Plant selection and grouping. (1) Any plant may be selected for the landscape, providing the Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU) in the landscape area does not exceed the Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA), and that the plants meet the specifications set forth in (2), (3), (4), and (5) below. (2) With the exception of Special Landscape Areas, a minimum 25% of landscape area shall be compri...
Composting
Yolo County lets single-family homeowners skip mandatory organics pickup by proving they compost yard trimmings and food waste onsite. Section 6-17.301(c)(5) grants a one-year, renewable exemption from Residential Organics services once the Department confirms active composting.
Onsite Composting Exempts Yolo County Homes
Light RestrictionsYolo County Code of Ordinances § 6-17.301(c)(5)
The Single-Family Premises owner has demonstrated that they actively Compost both Yard Trimmings and Food Waste onsite or have other means for diverting such waste and therefore have been granted an exemption from Residential Organics services.
Landscaping Rules by City in Yolo County
1 cities in Yolo County have their own landscaping rules rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
All Yolo County ordinances
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