Committee approves amendment to residential infill rules, including artificial turf standards and tree-credit incentives

The committee recommended approval, as amended, of BL 2025-897 on Sept. 1. The ordinance amends multiple sections of the Metropolitan Code of Laws (including 15.64.010, 15.64.130 and 15.64.131) to update residential infill regulation language covering artificial turf, multifamily structures, tree credits and development plan submission requirements. The committee vote on the bill as amended was recorded in committee as 8 in favor, 0 against.

Why it matters: The amendments direct Metro stormwater staff to update the stormwater management manual to account for new infill conditions and clarify standards that apply to hard surfaces such as pool decks and paving. The changes also increase incentives for tree credits and add formal requirements for artificial turf in residential infill situations.

Council Member Allen, the member who moved the amendment, said the changes remove a redundant nonresidential definition, clarify that improvements beyond buildings (for example, pool decks and paving) are covered, increase tree‑credit incentives, and formalize requirements for artificial turf. "Those are kind of the 3 main things," Allen said, adding that the code change will require continued follow‑up with Metro stormwater staff.

The committee approved the amendment and then the bill as amended. Members noted that passing the bill begins a process that will require further work with Metro stormwater on manual updates and implementation details.

Outcome and next steps: The committee recommended approval as amended; staff and council members said they expect continued collaboration with Metro stormwater staff to update technical guidance and the stormwater manual to implement the code changes.

Ending: The ordinance moves forward with committee support; technical rulemaking and manual updates remain to be completed by Metro stormwater and related departments.