Clearwater City Council moves to establish artificial turf regulations in landscape code

The City of Clearwater held a work session on March 3, 2025, to discuss proposed amendments to the Community Development Code, specifically focusing on the regulation of artificial turf within the city. The session was led by Lauren Matzke from the Planning and Development department, who outlined the need for these amendments and the process involved.

The primary agenda item was the introduction of standards for artificial turf, which is currently not permitted in Clearwater. Matzke noted that the discussion would need to be continued to the second meeting in March due to a missing document required for the proposal. However, she proceeded to summarize the ordinance, which aims to balance the use of artificial turf with environmental considerations.

Key provisions of the proposed ordinance include a requirement that 25% of the front yard of residential properties must consist of live plant materials, ensuring aesthetic appeal while allowing for artificial turf. The ordinance also specifies that artificial turf can be installed on approved concrete patios and porches without a permit, but it cannot be placed in rights-of-way or drainage features unless approved by the city engineer.

Matzke detailed the design standards for artificial turf, emphasizing that it must be lifelike and meet specific quality criteria. The ordinance proposes that installations over 100 square feet require a building permit, while smaller installations would not. Additionally, the ordinance outlines the need for a tree preservation plan when installing artificial turf near existing trees, ensuring that the health of these trees is not compromised.

The discussion also touched on the treatment of artificial turf concerning drainage. The ordinance proposes that turf installed by professional contractors could be treated as pervious, while installations by homeowners would be considered impervious, impacting the property's impervious surface ratio.

The community development board had previously recommended approval of the ordinance with modifications, including clarifications regarding the 25% landscaping rule, which would not apply to single-family homes. However, staff did not recommend changes to two considerations raised by the board: allowing artificial turf in required landscape islands and establishing licensure requirements for professional installers.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further refine the ordinance based on community feedback and to ensure that the regulations align with Clearwater's aesthetic and environmental goals. The next steps will involve continued discussions and potential adjustments before the ordinance is finalized.