City advances water‑wise landscaping code updates to reflect state turf law and conservation goals
Loading...
Summary
Planning staff briefed the Water Resources Advisory Board on proposed code changes to update the city’s landscape regulations, align with a state ban on nonfunctional turf in many settings, create a technical landscape manual and revise plant lists; no formal board action was required.
Planning and utilities staff presented proposed updates to the city’s landscape policy and code on Sept. 15, describing a package of changes intended to implement recent state requirements on turf and modernize technical guidance.
Charles Ferro, senior planning manager in Planning and Development Services, said the proposed ordinance is primarily intended to comply with a state bill that prohibits installation of “nonfunctional turf” in new development and in many redevelopment contexts. Ferro said the state language applies to street rights‑of‑way, parking lot medians, commercial, industrial and institutional land uses and common interest (HOA) areas; functional turf — for example playgrounds, sports fields and active playing areas — would still be permitted. The proposed code would also apply to residential development greater than 12 units.
Ferro said the draft ordinance establishes a separate landscape manual and an updated plant and tree list (Attachment C in the materials) so technical specifications can be updated administratively rather than by code change. He said planning staff plan to carry the most technical specifications into the manual while keeping the code focused on policy. The manual will contain guidance on soil amendments, mulch standards, irrigation and other specifications.
On watering restrictions, staff proposed a daytime watering prohibition from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. to reduce evaporation; Ferro told the board that the recommendation is to "preclude people from watering between the hours of 10AM and 6PM." Enforcement would be complaint‑driven at present, staff said.
Why it matters: The changes are part of the city’s 2024–25 priorities and are intended to advance water conservation, wildfire hardening and urban‑heat mitigation while complying with the state deadline to bring local regulations into alignment by Jan. 1, 2026. Planning staff said they would focus the current ordinance on the statutory requirements and pursue additional future code changes related to temporary irrigation, water‑efficiency standards and other refinements.
Board members asked about the process for maintaining the plant list, and Ferro said the city manager would have administrative authority to keep the list current; staff said they would use internal subject‑matter teams to vet any changes. Planning staff said earlier proposals to require a licensed landscape architect for all plans were rejected by planning board and council.
No formal action was requested of the Water Resources Advisory Board; staff said the package is moving toward City Council consideration in October. Staff asked the board for feedback to carry forward.
