Simi Valley, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

030(C) requires 50 percent of a single-family front yard, measured between the dwelling and the front curb and between the side property lines, to be landscaped with natural plants such as lawns, groundcover, succulents, shrubs and trees; no more than half of that landscaped area may be decorative hardscape like boulders or river rock. The code then carves out an express artificial turf allowance: with a Zoning Clearance, up to 100 percent of the required landscaped area may be covered by artificial turf, but only if the turf meets the definition and standards in Article 8 (Glossary); turf that does not meet those standards is prohibited outright.

030(D) allows artificial turf in the parkway strip too, but only with an encroachment permit approved by the Director of Public Works and consistent with City Council-approved conditions. 030(E) permits artificial turf in up to 50 percent of the landscape area for multi-family, commercial and industrial properties, with the same parkway encroachment-permit rule applying. 030(J)(6) separately bars synthetic plant materials other than turf for service station landscaping, underscoring that the turf carve-out is a specific exception rather than a general opt-out from live planting requirements.

The Deputy Director/City Planner reviews decorative feature substitutions under the front-yard standard, while the Zoning Clearance for turf itself is a ministerial permit processed by the Department.