San Clemente's Landscape Standards require living, drought-tolerant plant material and permeable surfaces, with required landscaping at least 60 percent California natives. Artificial turf is not living landscaping and does not satisfy landscape or front-yard permeability requirements. California's SB 676 (2023) preserves cities' authority to regulate synthetic turf.
Chapter 17.68 (Landscape Standards) requires that required landscaping consist primarily of drought-tolerant living plant material, with California native species in at least 60 percent of required landscaped areas (SCMC 17.68.040.C), and that front-yard setbacks keep at least 50 percent (45 percent on narrow lots) permeable and landscaped. Because artificial turf is a synthetic, non-living surface, it does not count toward those living-landscape or permeability requirements, and its use in required landscape areas is limited by the City's plant-material and permeability standards. Under California Government Code Section 53087.7 (added by SB 676, 2023), cities may not ban synthetic grass outright for residential drought-tolerant landscaping but may adopt reasonable standards. Confirm current City design and permit standards before installing.
Installing artificial turf in place of required living landscaping, or in a way that violates front-yard permeability or landscape standards, can be cited under Code Compliance or denied at plan review. Turf that blocks drainage may raise storm-water concerns.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Under SCMC 9.12.060, San Clemente municipal parks are closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and municipal trails are closed from sunset to sunrise. Certain pa...
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San Clemente controls light trespass through SCMC 17.24.130, which requires exterior lighting to be shielded so direct glare and reflections are contained wi...
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San Clemente requires exterior lighting to be shielded or recessed and directed downward under SCMC 17.24.130. Lighting must be energy-efficient, may not bli...
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San Clemente's sign matrix in SCMC 17.84.030 allows one on-site garage sale sign per site, up to 4 square feet, with no permit required. Off-site signs are p...
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San Clemente's sign regulations in SCMC Chapter 17.84 are expressly content-neutral. Any non-commercial message, including a political or campaign message, m...
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In San Clemente a permanent tiny home on a foundation is treated as an accessory dwelling unit under SCMC 17.28.270, while a tiny home on wheels, trailer, or...
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