Milpitas, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

There is no Milpitas Municipal Code section banning artificial or synthetic turf on private property, and California Civil Code Section 4735 makes void any HOA rule that prohibits, or has the effect of prohibiting, 'artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass.' That means homeowners statewide, including in Milpitas, may install synthetic grass even over HOA objection, though an HOA may set reasonable appearance and quality standards. Milpitas's zoning code does, however, limit total impervious surface on a site: it lists 'turf stones' and similar materials among impervious surfaces, and on parcels under three acres caps impervious surface at 8,000 square feet or 10 percent of the lot area, whichever is greater (including the building footprint). Artificial turf installed with proper permeable drainage backing may be treated more favorably than solid paving, but homeowners planning large turf areas, or installing it as part of a permitted project, should confirm with the Planning/Building Division how the surface is counted toward impervious-coverage and front-setback landscaping requirements. The City also encourages reducing non-functional turf to save water, and its Water Conservation Ordinance prohibits using potable water on non-functional (ornamental) natural turf.