The "Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance" of the state of California, as contained in California Code of Regulations Title 23 Waters, Division 2 Department of Water Resources, Chapter 2.7 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, Sections 490 et. seq. is hereby adopted by reference as the water efficient landscape ordinance of the city of Arroyo Grande, as the same may be amended from time to time, as if set out in full in this chapter. A copy of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance of the state of California shall be maintained in the city of Arroyo Grande community development department office and shall be made available for public inspection while this ordinance is in force. "Local agency" in the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance shall mean the city of Arroyo Grande.

(Ord. No. 674, § 1, 1-12-2016)

A.

Nonresidential and Mixed Uses.

1.

New nonresidential and mixed-use projects shall be prohibited from installing and maintaining irrigated turf on the property.

2.

Proposed remodels or additions constituting fifty (50) percent or more of the floor area of a property consisting of nonresidential or mixed-uses at the time when a building permit is issued for the remodel shall be required to remove all existing irrigated turf and replace that area with either water wise landscape species or an alternative with a watering requirement that is less than or equal to the water needs of the area landscaped with water wise landscaping. Calculating the area of a remodel shall be done in accordance with the California Building Code.

B.

Residential Uses.

1.

New projects consisting of solely residential uses shall be prohibited from installing and maintaining irrigated turf in the front yard of the property. For purposes of this section, the front yard is defined as the portion of the lot between the structure and the front property line.

2.

Turf installations in the rear yard of residential properties is limited to either, whichever is less:

a.

Five hundred (500) square feet, or

b.

Twenty-five (25) percent of the total rear yard area.

c.

For purposes of this section, the rear yard is defined as the portion of the lot between the structure and the rear property line.

d.

Where installation of turf in the rear yard is infeasible due to lack of available area, solar access, or the presence of existing structures, as determined by the director of community development, irrigated turf may be installed and maintained in the front yard at no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total yard area.

3.

Proposed remodels or additions constituting fifty (50) percent or more of the floor area of a property consisting of solely residential uses at the time when a building permit is issued for the remodel shall meet the following requirements:

a.

Removal of all turf in the front yard and a reduction of the amount of turf in the rear yard to twenty-five (25) percent of the total yard area or five hundred (500) square feet, whichever is less. The areas in which turf is required to be removed shall be replaced with either water wise landscape species or an alternative with a watering requirement that is less than or equal to the water needs of the area landscaped with water wise landscaping. Calculating the area of a remodel shall be done in accordance with the California Building Code.

b.

Where installation of turf in the rear yard is infeasible due to lack of available area, solar access, or the presence of existing structures, as determined by the director of community development, irrigated turf may be installed and maintained in the front yard at no more than twenty-five (25) percent of the total yard area.

(Ord. No. 725, § 4, 11-28-2023)