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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 Water Allowance

(Photos by Sue Jennings)

  

Most types of landscaping are approved in the City. Approved front and side yard landscaping types include:

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

All of these landscaping types are required to be maintained (mowed, trimmed, and/or maintained as often as necessary to prevent overgrowth and blight.) Sacramento City Code §17.68.010 

 

General Planting Recommendations

Per the Single-Family Residential Design Principles (PDF - 7.36 MB) the City of Sacramento recommends:

• A minimum of one 15 gallon shade tree.  Mulitple tree should be placed 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.
• 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. Sacramento City Code §17.68.010 

• 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 § 12.28.010 
  Sacramento City Code § 17.76.010 

 

   

• All landscaping located within the clear zone for driveways and corner lots shall not exceed 4' in height, except that trees exceeding 4' in height shall be allowed if the tree is maintained free of branches 5' 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:
  • Tie neighborhoods together
  • Provide shade
  • Vary species of trees
  • Follow tree planting list provided by the City
  Sacramento City Code § 12.56.050

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