Water Restrictions: Rohnert Park vs Sonoma
How do water restrictions rules compare between Rohnert Park, CA and Sonoma, CA?
Rohnert Park has fewer restrictions than Sonoma.
Rohnert Park, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma County Code Chapter 7D3 requires water-efficient landscape design for qualifying new and rehabilitated landscapes in unincorporated areas, including a 2,500 sq ft cap on grass lawns for sites developed after October 4, 2022 unless they comply with the full Water Efficient Landscape Regulations.
View full Rohnert Park rules →Sonoma, CA
Sonoma County
Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 14.32 implements California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) for new and rehabilitated landscapes, with most provisions triggered at 500 sq ft (new) or 2,500 sq ft (rehabilitated). Single-family private residential landscaping is not affected by AB 1572's non-functional turf irrigation ban.
View full Sonoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Rohnert Park | Sonoma |
|---|---|---|
| Code Chapter | Sonoma County Code Ch. 7D3 | - |
| Effective Date | January 15, 2010 | - |
| Grass Lawn Cap | 2,500 sq ft (post 10/4/2022) | - |
| Homeowner Exemption Turf Limit | 600 sq ft | - |
| Plan Check Trigger | Buildings/additions > 400 sq ft | - |
| Code section | - | SMC Ch. 14.32 |
| New-construction trigger | - | ≥ 500 sq ft landscape |
| Rehabilitation trigger | - | ≥ 2,500 sq ft landscape |
| State authority | - | MWELO — 23 CCR § 490+ |
| AB 1572 turf ban (residential) | - | Does NOT apply to single-family homes |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Rohnert Park FAQ
Does Sonoma County limit how much lawn I can plant?
Yes. For sites developed after October 4, 2022, grass lawns may not exceed 2,500 square feet unless the project fully complies with the Water Efficient Landscape Regulations in Chapter 7D3.
Can a homeowner skip the landscape plan check?
Only if all three conditions are met: total landscape area under 5,000 sq ft, turf limited to 600 sq ft, and a weather-based self-adjusting irrigation controller with a rain sensor is installed.
Where is this codified?
It is codified in Sonoma County Code Chapter 7D3 (Water Efficient Landscape) within the Building Regulations title.
Sonoma FAQ
I'm replacing my front-yard lawn with drought-tolerant plants — do I need a permit under Ch. 14.32?
Only if your project is a 'rehabilitated landscape' of 2,500 sq ft or more AND it requires a building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review. Most simple homeowner lawn-to-xeriscape swaps below that threshold or without permitted hardscape changes are exempt, though state drought rules and Sonoma Water conservation requirements still apply.
Does California's AB 1572 turf ban force me to remove my front lawn by 2027?
No. AB 1572 (Cal. Water Code § 10608.14) prohibits irrigating 'non-functional turf' with potable water on commercial, industrial, institutional, public-agency and HOA common-area properties, phased 2027-2029. Single-family residential landscaping is expressly excluded.
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