San Leandro, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)
Key Facts
- City ban
- None
- HOA ban
- Void under Cal. Civ. Code 4735(a)(2)
- Drought brown-lawn protection
- Cal. Civ. Code 4735(c)
- Stormwater treatment
- Counts as impervious for C.3 sizing
- Zoning chapter
- SLZC Chapter 4-16
- AB 349 origin
- Enacted 2015
Summary
San Leandro does not prohibit artificial turf on residential properties, and California Civil Code 4735 voids any HOA rule that prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting synthetic grass. Installations on permitted projects must still meet zoning landscape and stormwater requirements.
4735. (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.
Full Breakdown
There is no San Leandro Municipal Code section banning artificial turf on private property. California Civil Code Section 4735(a)(2) makes void and unenforceable any provision in HOA governing documents that prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass. HOAs may still impose reasonable appearance and quality standards as long as those standards do not effectively prevent installation. 3 calculations and may need to be paired with bioretention or other LID measures (San Leandro Stormwater Requirements Checklist).
Some homeowner-installation considerations: turf with proper drainage backing and permeable infill typically qualifies as semi-pervious. Front-yard turf must still meet SLZC Chapter 4-16 landscape-coverage and screening requirements when installed as part of permitted construction. Civil Code 4735(c) also protects homeowners who let natural grass go brown during a declared drought emergency from HOA fines.
Violations & Fines
There are no City fines for installing artificial turf on residential property. HOAs that fine homeowners for installing compliant artificial turf, or for letting grass go brown during a Governor- or locally-declared drought emergency, violate Civil Code 4735 and the fines are unenforceable. Permitted projects that omit required stormwater LID measures or exceed impervious-surface limits can face plan-check correction notices.
Frequently Asked Questions
My HOA says no artificial turf - can they enforce that?
Does the City require a permit to install artificial turf?
Can my HOA fine me for letting my lawn go brown to save water?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Leandro
How San Leandro compares: Most Artificial Turf-Friendly Cities·California rules heatmap·Compare San Leandro to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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