Sacramento County, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Unincorporated Sacramento County does not ban artificial (synthetic) turf, but it treats it as a supplemental surface rather than a substitute for required landscaping. The County Zoning Code landscape standards (Section 5.2.4) provide that pervious pavement and permeable pavers may substitute for impermeable hard surfaces but may not substitute for required landscaped planting areas, and that ornamental or landscape rock and gravel, artificial turf, or areas covered with other artificial materials may be combined with landscape areas only when approved through the Design Review process. In practice this means a homeowner can install artificial turf, but on development subject to landscape requirements it does not satisfy the minimum living-landscape obligation by itself and may need design approval depending on context and zoning. The standards also generally call for permeable installation so artificial surfaces do not increase stormwater runoff, and protected-tree rules still apply, turf should not be installed within the dripline of a protected tree in a way that harms it. Separately, California law has moved to limit local bans: AB 1572 and related legislation restrict government and certain properties from irrigating decorative natural turf with potable water, and state policy has trended toward preventing cities and counties from outright prohibiting synthetic turf on residential property. Because requirements vary by zone and project, confirm specifics with Sacramento County Planning and Environmental Review before installing turf as part of required landscaping.