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Council considers clarifying landscaping rules; staff recommends limits on artificial turf
Summary
Tula staff proposed clarifying edits to landscaping and water-conservation code for new residential development, including striking ambiguous language, reaffirming a 50% sod limit on front/side yards for qualifying approvals, and recommending a 50% cap on artificial turf due to heat and stormwater concerns; enforcement and outreach were discussed.
TULA, Utah — City staff recommended clarifying changes to Tula City Code 7-14-11 on landscaping and water conservation during the May 6 work meeting, proposing edits the planning commission already reviewed and forwarded with amendments.
Community Development Director Andrew Agard said the earlier ordinance already restricts sod use — limiting sod to 50 percent of the front yard in single-family zones, prohibiting sod in park strips and restricting sod in multifamily developments — but contains wording that is ambiguous and ripe for cleanup. “We’re not really changing anything with these ordinance amendments. We’re just trying to make the code a little easier to understand,” Agard said.
Staff wants to remove unclear clauses (references to 8-foot widths and a 250-square-foot threshold) and to clarify that lots receiving preliminary plan approval after April 1, 2023, are subject to the 50 percent front/side-yard sod limit. The draft also clarifies that irrigation systems for plantings outside of lawn areas should be drip-style.
The planning commission asked staff about artificial turf. Agard said staff recommends limiting artificial turf to 50 percent of front and side yards for new approvals because synthetic turf can increase surface temperatures and is generally impermeable, which could worsen stormwater runoff to neighboring properties. “If somebody’s entire yard is turf, it could serve to increase the heat island effect,” Agard said. He noted residential owners typically do not install the irrigation-under-turf cooling systems used on athletic fields.
Council members discussed enforcement challenges and outreach: staff proposed sending a postcard with every building permit explaining the restrictions for new homes, and noted code enforcement can require removal of prohibited sod but that enforcement resources are limited. Council and staff also discussed park-strip policy and why utilities are located in park strips in older neighborhoods.
The planning commission recommended the amendments with edits; staff reflected those changes in the draft. The council did not vote at the work meeting and signaled support for further review and incremental steps; the item is on the business meeting agenda for later that night.
Next steps: staff will continue refining the language with the planning commission and pursue outreach to new homeowners as part of permit intake.
