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Boynton Beach adopts artificial-turf rules, expands permitted area to 1,000 sq. ft.
Summary
The City Commission approved Ordinance 25-003 on second reading, creating local rules for artificial turf and expanding an initially proposed 800-square-foot allowance to 1,000 square feet; staff will help previously paused installations obtain permits.
The City Commission of Boynton Beach on May 6 adopted proposed Ordinance 25-003 on second reading to establish regulations for artificial turf in the city. Commissioner Thomas Turkin moved to approve the ordinance and Vice Mayor Woodrow Hay seconded; the measure passed by roll call vote with Commissioner Amy Kelly, Commissioner Turkin, Commissioner Angela Cruz, Vice Mayor Hay and Mayor Rebecca Shelton voting yes.
Why it matters: The ordinance creates a city-level regulatory framework for artificial turf on private property and was amended at the commission’s request to expand the maximum single-area allowance from 800 square feet to 1,000 square feet. Commissioners and members of the public framed the change as a water-conservation measure amid local drought concerns.
Staff presentation and change: Jane Kim, principal planner with the Planning and Zoning Division, told the commission that "the presentation has been not changed. However, staff amended a code of draft to include to expand artificial turf area from the 800 square foot 1,000 square foot as a request by commission, Turkey and the 04/15/2025 meeting." The ordinance sets standards for materials and permitting.
Public comment: Resident Susan Oyer told the commission she has installed artificial turf and urged approval, citing water savings during an ongoing dry period. She told the commission: "This has been dragging on for months and months... as we are approximately, what, 10 inches down on water, we need to be doing everything we can to be going as sustainable as possible and reducing the amount of water usage in our city." Oyer also asked the commission to consider other low-water landscaping options such as permeable gravel drive grids and expanded permitted materials.
Materials and lifecycle concerns: Commissioners asked whether turf is recyclable; staff said the product is not recyclable in the conventional sense and at end of life likely will be sent to a landfill or an authorized burning facility. Staff also said they had reviewed chemical-runoff concerns and included domestic-manufacture requirements so installed turf meets minimum standards.
Implementation and next steps: City staff told the commission they will work with property owners whose installations had paused enforcement to bring those properties into compliance and assist in obtaining permits. The commission approved the ordinance on second reading and the city clerk recorded a unanimous roll-call vote.
Ending note: The ordinance will take effect per the code’s normal schedule; staff said it may require later amendments depending on forthcoming state rules about turf for single-family properties.
