San Leandro's Zoning Code Chapter 4-16 (Landscape Requirements) implements California's Water Conservation in Landscaping Act (AB 1881) and the StopWaste.Org Bay-Friendly protocols, requiring climate-appropriate, low-water plants on projects with 500+ sq ft of new landscaping.
Under San Leandro Zoning Code Chapter 4-16, landscape plans for new construction and major renovations must select water-conserving plant and turf species suitable for the climate and soil conditions and align with the current StopWaste.Org Bay-Friendly Landscape protocols. The code implements California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) under California Code of Regulations Title 23, Sections 490-495, which applies to projects with 500 sq ft or more of new or modified landscape area (or 2,500+ sq ft for non-permitted projects). Projects must demonstrate a Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) lower than baseline turf landscaping using climate Zone 14 evapotranspiration data. The City's Native Plants program (sanleandro.org/1508) lists California natives recommended for residential gardens: yarrow, manzanita, beach primrose, ceanothus, California fuchsia, penstemon, goldenrod, sagebrush, coffeeberry, California buckeye, western redbud, toyon, and Catalina cherry. Native plantings are voluntary for existing residential properties but mandatory components of MWELO-triggered projects.
Failure to submit a compliant MWELO landscape documentation package can block issuance of a building permit or certificate of occupancy. Post-construction, the City may require a Certificate of Completion and may require corrective replanting if installed landscapes do not match approved plans. Civil Code 4735 (state law) prohibits HOAs from banning low-water-using plants or fining homeowners who let lawns go brown during a declared drought emergency.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
San Leandro, CA
SLMC §4-1-1115 prohibits use of any loudspeaker, loudspeaker system, public address or similar device between 10:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. when it disturbs neigh...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro is unusual among Bay Area cities: SLMC Article 11 sets only one numeric noise threshold — 5 decibels above ambient at the complainant's property ...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro does not recognize any 'dibs' or 'savie' parking custom. Public streets are public space — placing chairs, cones, garbage cans, or other objects ...
San Leandro, CA
Permitted fence/wall materials are wood, steel, finished concrete, and stucco. Chain-link and corrugated metal fencing are prohibited. Street-facing fences m...
San Leandro, CA
Retaining walls 4 feet or less measured from bottom of footing to top of wall are exempt from a building permit, unless they support a surcharge (e.g., drive...
San Leandro, CA
San Leandro has no standalone hoarding statute, but SLMC §4-11-1100 caps household dogs at two and applies an Animal Permit requirement to additional animals...
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