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City of Anaheim Landscaping Requirements
Artificial Turf Installation
Artificial turf shall be installed over a compacted and porous road base material and shall be anchored at all edges and seams. An infill medium consisting of clean washed sand or other approved mixture shall be brushed into the fibers to insure that the fibers remain in an upright position and to provide ballast that will help hold the turf in place and provide a cushioning effect. Artificial turf must consist of pile fibers a minimum height of 1.75 inches and a proper drainage system shall be installed underneath the turf to prevent excessive run-off or pooling.
Artificial Turf Quality Standards
The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement for artificial turf is prohibited. Artificial turf shall be of a type known as cut pile infill and shall be manufactured from polypropylene, polyethylene or a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene fibers stitched onto a polypropylene or polyurethane meshed or hole-punched backing. Hole-punched backings shall have holes spaced in a uniform grid pattern with spacing not to exceed four inches by 6 inches on center. The Anaheim Planning Department will need to review and approve the artificial turf product you are proposing to install. The Anaheim Planning Department maintains samples of various turf products that meet this standard of appearance. Please call a planner at 714-765-5139 for more information.
Front Yard Landscaping
Live landscaping or artificial turf needs to occupy at least 50% of required front yards for single-family homes. Artificial turf may be used in lieu of live landscaping in front, side, and rear yards for up to 100% coverage or in combination with all other natural non-turf materials. Bark chips, mulch, gravel, and stones may be counted as landscaping up to 25% of the landscaped area. Live plant materials shall be provided in a quantity and manner resulting in a minimum of 75% live plant material coverage within the required landscape area at maturity. Watch the “Visualizing the Code – Front Yard Landscaping” video to clarify these requirements. Please call a planner at 714-765-5139 for more information.
New & Rehabilitated Landscape Projects
Anaheim Planning Department requires that contractor/developer installed landscape projects of at least 2,500 square feet or larger follow an approved landscape design plan. For individual homeowners, projects of at least 500 square feet or larger must also be reviewed and approved by the Anaheim Planning Department prior to installation. In some cases, smaller projects will need review and approval by the Anaheim Planning Department. Click HERE to view the Landscape Water Efficiency Ordinance (Guidelines) for planning and completing qualifying landscape projects throughout the City. Please click on the brochure or call a planner at 714-765-5139 for more information.
Parkway Landscaping
Live landscaping is required in the parkway area. Ground covers and low-growing shrubs or plants (not to exceed two (2) feet in height as measured from the top of the adjacent curb) must be replanted where turf was removed. Artificial turf may be used in lieu of live landscaping (i.e. shrubs) up to 100%. Trees are allowed, but planting of new and/or removal must be approved by the city. One walkway that is five feet in width is permitted along each street frontage. Please call Public Works at 714-765-6860 for more information.
Artificial turf shall be installed over a compacted and porous road base material and shall be anchored at all edges and seams. An infill medium consisting of clean washed sand or other approved mixture shall be brushed into the fibers to insure that the fibers remain in an upright position and to provide ballast that will help hold the turf in place and provide a cushioning effect. Artificial turf must consist of pile fibers a minimum height of 1.75 inches and a proper drainage system shall be installed underneath the turf to prevent excessive run-off or pooling.
Artificial Turf Quality Standards
The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement for artificial turf is prohibited. Artificial turf shall be of a type known as cut pile infill and shall be manufactured from polypropylene, polyethylene or a blend of polypropylene and polyethylene fibers stitched onto a polypropylene or polyurethane meshed or hole-punched backing. Hole-punched backings shall have holes spaced in a uniform grid pattern with spacing not to exceed four inches by 6 inches on center. The Anaheim Planning Department will need to review and approve the artificial turf product you are proposing to install. The Anaheim Planning Department maintains samples of various turf products that meet this standard of appearance. Please call a planner at 714-765-5139 for more information.
Front Yard Landscaping
Live landscaping or artificial turf needs to occupy at least 50% of required front yards for single-family homes. Artificial turf may be used in lieu of live landscaping in front, side, and rear yards for up to 100% coverage or in combination with all other natural non-turf materials. Bark chips, mulch, gravel, and stones may be counted as landscaping up to 25% of the landscaped area. Live plant materials shall be provided in a quantity and manner resulting in a minimum of 75% live plant material coverage within the required landscape area at maturity. Watch the “Visualizing the Code – Front Yard Landscaping” video to clarify these requirements. Please call a planner at 714-765-5139 for more information.
New & Rehabilitated Landscape Projects
Anaheim Planning Department requires that contractor/developer installed landscape projects of at least 2,500 square feet or larger follow an approved landscape design plan. For individual homeowners, projects of at least 500 square feet or larger must also be reviewed and approved by the Anaheim Planning Department prior to installation. In some cases, smaller projects will need review and approval by the Anaheim Planning Department. Click HERE to view the Landscape Water Efficiency Ordinance (Guidelines) for planning and completing qualifying landscape projects throughout the City. Please click on the brochure or call a planner at 714-765-5139 for more information.
Parkway Landscaping
Live landscaping is required in the parkway area. Ground covers and low-growing shrubs or plants (not to exceed two (2) feet in height as measured from the top of the adjacent curb) must be replanted where turf was removed. Artificial turf may be used in lieu of live landscaping (i.e. shrubs) up to 100%. Trees are allowed, but planting of new and/or removal must be approved by the city. One walkway that is five feet in width is permitted along each street frontage. Please call Public Works at 714-765-6860 for more information.