Yolo County, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 8-3.108(e), Stormwater Management
- Applies to new landscapes
- 500 sq. ft. or more
- Applies to rehab landscapes
- 2,500 sq. ft. or more
- Rain gardens/cisterns status
- Recommended, not required
- Runoff containment
- Mandatory, on-site only
- Enforcing department
- Planning, Public Works and Environmental Services
Summary
Yolo County's Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance requires covered landscape projects to keep irrigation and rainfall on-site, and recommends, but does not mandate, rain gardens, cisterns and other rainwater-capture features to boost infiltration and onsite storage.
(e) Stormwater Management.
(1) The landscape project area shall be graded so that all irrigation and normal rainfall remains within the property lines and does not drain on to non-permeable hardscapes.
(2) Rain gardens, cisterns, and other landscape features and practices that increase rainwater capture and create opportunities for infiltration and/or onsite storage are recommended.
(3) Soil compaction in landscape areas is prohibited unless required by the geotechnical or engineering report.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).
Full Breakdown
108(e), Stormwater Management. 103). Homeowner-installed residential landscaping is exempt unless a discretionary permit requires it. Two rules apply: grading must keep irrigation and normal rainfall within the property line and off non-permeable hardscape, which is mandatory, while rain gardens, cisterns, and similar infiltration or onsite-storage features are listed as recommended, not required. Soil compaction in landscape areas is separately prohibited unless a geotechnical or engineering report calls for it. 105). 106).
Violations & Fines
The county may inspect completed projects to enforce the ordinance and can use any enforcement mechanism authorized under the Yolo County Code or otherwise by law (§ 8-3.107(b)). Because the Certificate of Completion is a prerequisite to a certificate of occupancy or final building/grading permit sign-off, a project that skips the required stormwater grading, soil management report, or irrigation audit can be held up at final inspection until it's corrected.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yolo County require rainwater harvesting features?
Which projects have to follow this landscaping ordinance?
What happens if a covered project skips the stormwater and soil rules?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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