CITY OF SACRAMENTO
LANDSCAPING REQUIREMENTS

Landscape and treescape design elements add value and increased sustainability to neighborhoods. Landscaping is vital to the City of Sacramento's goal of making Sacramento the most livable city in America. Consistent quality and design of landscape elements and sidewalks softens the aesthetics of structures and ties neighborhoods together. At the same time, landscaping contributes to energy efficiency. Drought tolerant landscaping is encouraged.
Maximum Allowed Water Allowance 

(Photos by Sue Jennings)

Front and side yard landscaping types approved in the city of Sacramento. Most all types of landscaping are approved in the city. This would include:

• Cactus Gardens
• Vegetable gardens
• Turf
• Shrubs
• Flower Gardens
• Desert grasses
• Other types of primarily living vegetation
• Combinations of the above

The main ingredient in all of these types is that the landscaping is required to be maintained (mowed, trimmed, and/or maintained as often as necessary to prevent overgrowth and blight. SCC 17.68.010 A 

General Planting Recommendations

The city of Sacramento recommends (Council Resolution 2000-523, Single-Family Residential Design Principles) :

• "A minimum of one 15 gallon shade trees no greater than 50 feet apart
• "Residential subdivisions should incorporate thematic street tree programs in their designs;
• "Drought tolerant landscaping. Plants should be grouped in hydrozones according to their water needs and irrigated separately. View a list of drought tolerant plants on the Parks and Recreation Website: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/ppdd/pdf/ordinance-water_req.pdf 
• "Sidewalks should be developed consistent with the City of Sacramento Streets Standards Manual. Landscape strips between sidewalks and curbs are desirable.
• The City of Sacramento discourages planting with water-dependent turf only

Landscaping Ordinance Summary:

Covers front and side yard setback area's outside of a legal fence. SCC 17.68.010 A 

• Landscaped
• The landscape may include grass, annuals, perennials, groundcover, shrubs, trees, and any design elements such as planters, rocks, mulch, or similar elements when integrated as part of the landscape. However, only living vegetation may be used as a primary ground cover
• Irrigated
• Can be a hose, watering can, drip irrigation, underground sprinklers or other functional means.
• Maintained
• All landscaping materials shall be mowed, trimmed, and/or maintained as often as necessary to prevent overgrowth and blight. No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in the landscaped setback area.
• Height restrictions for Landscaping located in the clear zone
  (Sacramento City Code Section 12.28.010 
  Sacramento City Code Section 17.76.010 )

• All landscaping located within the clear zone for driveways and corner lots shall not exceed four feet in height, except that trees exceeding four feet in height shall be allowed if the tree is maintained free of branches five feet above the finished grade.
  • No junk, debris, or other similar materials shall be stored in the landscaped setback area.

Trees

The City of Sacramento encourages uniformed street trees that: (Sacramento City Code Section 12.56.050) 

• Tie neighborhoods together
• Provide shade
• Vary species of trees
• Follow tree planting list provided by the City

The City of Sacramento discourages the building of new homes with few or no front yard shade trees.