Pico Rivera, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Chapter 18.18's landscaping standards apply to all development in the City of Pico Rivera alongside Chapter 13.90's water-efficient landscaping rules, with Section 18.18.040 controlling wherever the two conflict. Section 18.18.040(B) requires landscaping within all setbacks except required walkways, parking and loading areas and driveways, and singles out the S-F, R-E, R-I and PUD zones for a minimum 50 percent natural-planting coverage of the front setback. Required plantings must be Mediterranean or California native, non-invasive, and/or low-water-use species, and must be actively maintained through watering, pruning, trimming, mowing, aerating, fertilizing, weed and brush abatement, trash removal and replacement of dead material.

Subsection (B)(4) then draws a hard line against substitutes: the use of artificial plants and synthetic turf shall be prohibited, with no exception written into the section for any zone or use. Landscaping of varying materials, colors and textures is also required to visually distinguish driveway entries, building entries and common open-space areas. Community and Economic Development reviews landscape plans as part of building permit and planning approvals, and code enforcement can act on installed synthetic turf found in a required setback during an inspection or complaint.

Because the ban sits in the citywide general site standards rather than a zone-specific chapter, it reaches single-family homes, multifamily projects and commercial parcels alike.