California Phases Out Ornamental Lawns With New Water Rules

Californians have long heard the ornamental lawn's days are numbered in this drought-stricken state. New rules approved by the California Water Commission bring that closer. Starting December 1, turfgrass and high-water-use plants are limited to 25% of the yard in new residential landscapes ≥500 sq ft and renovated yards ≥2,500 sq ft requiring permits. Smaller landscapes (<2,500 sq ft) can follow a prescriptive checklist instead.

The old rules allowed 33% high-water plants for landscapes ≥2,500 sq ft. Officials say the new restrictions cut average landscape water use by one-third. "Revising the ordinance was well due. Our landscapes must be as resilient as our climate," says Vicki Lake, Department of Water Resources.

Landscape professionals agree. Tim Jachlewski (In-Site Landscape Architecture, San Diego): "We've become more water-conscious over 8–10 years. We love turfgrass — but only for recreation, not aesthetics." He envisions amazing California landscapes in five years: turf reserved for play, the rest transformed into "California style" with native plants offering seasonal interest, flowers, textures, and habitat for birds, butterflies, pollinators.

Michael Glassman (Davis, CA): "Clients realize front yards don't have to be throwaway spaces." Patios, hardscape, pathways replace lawn. More shade trees should replace turf. "It's about reclaiming the front yard as functional space."

Margie Grace (Santa Barbara): "We're on the cusp of a landscape innovation explosion — new aesthetics, technologies, ecology-based landscaping. This mindset shift precedes large-scale change." She's drawn to naturalistic designs where landform, stone, light outweigh plants, and modern spaces where plants are sculpture.

The revised Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance responds to Governor Jerry Brown's April 2015 executive order. Half of urban water goes to outdoor irrigation. New rules also cover commercial landscapes: new lawn only for recreation, picnicking, public gathering, or if irrigated with recycled water.

Each new landscape gets a water allowance ≈25% cool-season grasses (e.g., Kentucky bluegrass) or equivalent high-water plants. The allowance calculates plant water use (per UC's WUCOLS) and irrigation efficiency. Landscapes <2,500 sq ft can use a checklist instead. Those using only greywater or captured rainwater follow an irrigation checklist. The checklist option was added after industry feedback that the allowance model was too complex for small projects.

"They did a good job listening," says Larry Rohlfes (California Landscape Contractors Association).

DWR expects the ordinance to cut home water use by 12,000 gal/yr (20%) and commercial by 35%. California will add 472,000 homes and 20,000 acres of landscape in three years — standards are needed for future growth. The commission sees this as regulating what's already becoming standard, as many residents reduce lawns voluntarily.

Designers have led the way. The San Diego ASLA chapter advocated water conservation and regionally appropriate landscapes in 2009. "Our drought taught us to change how we think of landscaping," says Paul Groth (UC Berkeley). Most striking effects will be in new developments at urban edges and in greywater systems encouraged by the rules.

Grace says the rules won't change her design process — "guided by our own compass" — but will make clients receptive to new ideas. "A Mediterranean climate with seasonal rain and dry season supports rich flora and fauna with unique charms."

More: How to Replace Your Lawn With a Garden. Grow a Beautiful Garden With Ecofriendly Greywater. Find a landscape architect or designer near you.