Murray council considers landscaping ordinance changes to qualify for Utah WaterSavers incentives

Murray City staff on Aug. 5 presented an ordinance amendment to change landscaping standards citywide so new development can qualify for Utah WaterSavers incentives that reimburse turf replacement and water-conserving measures.

The changes, presented by Chad Wilkinson, would reduce turf allowances for commercial (including multifamily) sites and cap lawn area in residential front and side yards. The amendment also updates technical requirements (for example, switching an as‑planted coverage metric to a maturity-based standard) and modernizes submittal rules to accept digital landscape plans.

The measure is aimed at making developers and homeowners eligible for programs that pay higher rebates for more extensive conversions than the “Flip Your Strip” program, Wilkinson said. He added that the Utah WaterSavers program can reimburse conversions of larger areas and also offers rebates for changes such as switching from overhead spray irrigation to drip systems. Aaron Frisk, identified in the meeting as a representative of the city’s Public Works water division, participated in the discussion and had been involved in drafting the amendment.

Under the proposal, commercial and multifamily landscapes would be limited to a maximum of 20% turf of the total landscape area except for active recreation areas such as school fields. For single-family residential lots, turf in front and side yards would be capped at 35% of the total landscape area, with an exception for very small lots where total landscape area is under 250 square feet. The amendment also requires that turf be installed only where turf is maintainable (minimum 8‑foot dimension in commercial areas), and it clarifies that some types of redevelopment triggers will require the new standards.

Wilkinson said the requirement will be mandatory for new development and certain redevelopment thresholds; existing homeowners would be allowed to opt in if they choose. He noted the change to require landscape plans for single‑family homes (where plans were not previously required) so staff can verify compliance. He said the city had run the draft with stakeholders and received positive feedback, including an endorsement sent from Candace Schobel, identified as the water conservation manager at the state Department of Natural Resources.

Council members asked about exemptions for existing recreational turf at schools; Wilkinson noted that recreational grass is exempt unless the school does a major campus redevelopment that would trigger the standard. One council member raised a concern that mandating landscaping standards could overreach into what residents may do with private yards; Wilkinson and others responded that the requirement applies to new development and that existing properties retain a choice.

The presentation closed with staff saying they will coordinate outreach with regional water districts, including Central Utah Water Conservancy District and Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District, to promote education and uptake among residents.

The ordinance was presented for discussion; no formal council vote on adoption occurred during the meeting.