San Bernardino, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

California Civil Code Section 4735, last amended in 2021, expressly prohibits common interest developments from banning artificial turf in homeowner yards, overriding many older HOA covenants. Cities may regulate the location, installation standards, and appearance of synthetic turf but may not ban it outright in single-family residential zones. In San Bernardino, artificial turf must generally comply with the landscape ordinance and any applicable specific plan or planned community standards. Typical requirements include using listed high-quality turf products, maintaining a proper permeable base of crushed aggregate to allow stormwater infiltration and avoid street runoff, seaming and edge treatments that prevent lifting, and avoiding installation in the public right-of-way parkway strip unless authorized.

Some HOAs in San Bernardino may still impose aesthetic standards such as minimum pile height or color consistency, but may not ban turf installation entirely. In Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones, artificial turf within five feet of structures must be evaluated against AB 3074 Zone 0 rules, because some plastic turf products are flammable. Manufacturers offer fire-rated turf meeting ASTM E108 Class A roof fire tests for use in fire zones. Artificial turf installations that drain into the public storm system may require best management practices under the city NPDES permit, especially on slopes. Lead content in synthetic turf must meet California Proposition 65 and CPSC standards.