Riverside, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)
Key Facts
- City code
- RMC Ch. 19.570 (artificial turf permitted; counts as 0 plant factor)
- State protection
- Cal. Gov. Code §53087.7 (cities can't ban at residences)
- HOA protection
- Cal. Civ. Code §4735 / AB 349 (HOAs can't ban at single-family)
- Permit for residential install
- Generally no, unless grading/hardscape changes
- MWELO classification
- 23 CCR §492.4(g): excluded from irrigated area, plant factor 0
- Stormwater concern
- Permeable base recommended per MS4 NPDES (Riverside Co.)
Summary
Artificial turf is permitted as a residential landscape material in Riverside under RMC Chapter 19.570 (Water Efficient Landscaping), which counts synthetic turf as a 0% plant factor and therefore an acceptable water-budget compliance option. California Gov. Code §53087.7 also prevents HOAs and local governments from banning artificial turf at single-family homes.
(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 have the effect of prohibiting, the use of artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass. (3) Has the effect of prohibiting or restricting compliance with either of the following: (A) A water-efficient landscape ordinance adopted or in effect pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 65595 of the Government Code. (B) Any regulation or restriction on the use of water adopted pursuant to Section 353 or 375 of the Water Code. (b) This section shall not prohibit an association from applying landscaping rules established in the governing documents, to the extent the rules fully conform with subdivision (a). (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, except as provided in subdivision (d), an association shall not impose a fine or assessment against an owner of a separate interest for reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns during any period for which either of the following have occurred: (1) The Governor has declared a state of emergency due to drought pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8558 of the Government Code. (2) A local government has declared a local emergency due to drought pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 8558 of the Government Code.
Full Breakdown
4(g)): artificial turf areas are excluded from the irrigated landscape area and have a plant factor of zero, making them a compliant pathway to meet the MAWA water budget for new/rehab landscape projects. The City does not require a separate building permit to install residential artificial turf in lieu of grass in a single-family yard, provided drainage and grading are not altered; if the installation involves grading, retaining walls, or new hardscape, standard building / grading permits apply (RMC Title 16). On the protection side, California Gov.
' AB 349 (2015) made the parallel protection in Cal. Civil Code §4735 applicable to HOAs, HOAs may not prohibit synthetic turf at single-family lots within their CC&Rs. Riverside has no aesthetic ban; permitted-use tables under Title 19 zoning allow artificial turf in front yards. Practical limits: many California product certifications require lead and heavy-metal limits per California Prop 65; Riverside's MS4 stormwater permit (Riverside County Watershed Protection / NPDES) restricts impermeable artificial turf installations that increase runoff, most code-compliant installs use a permeable base to satisfy this.
Violations & Fines
Installing artificial turf without required grading/drainage permits where applicable is a permit violation under RMC Title 16 (Building Code) subject to stop-work and double-fee permit recovery. A City or HOA attempting to prohibit synthetic turf at a single-family home would itself violate Cal. Gov. Code §53087.7 / Civ. Code §4735: homeowners can pursue civil injunctive relief.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the City of Riverside or my HOA force me to remove artificial turf?
Do I need a permit to install artificial turf in my front yard?
Does artificial turf qualify me for MWELO compliance on a new build?
Sources & Official References
- [1]Riverside Municipal Code Ch. 19.570 — Water Efficient Landscaping & Irrigation (Municode)
- [2]California Government Code §53087.7 — Cities may not ban drought-tolerant landscaping / synthetic turf at residences
- [3]California Civil Code §4735 — HOAs may not ban drought-tolerant / artificial turf
- [4]California MWELO — 23 CCR §492.4 (synthetic turf treatment in water budget)
Other rules in Riverside
How Riverside compares: Most Artificial Turf-Friendly Cities·California rules heatmap·Compare Riverside to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Artificial Turf in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle artificial turf.