Alhambra, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

050(A)(4)(a), artificial turf installed in a required landscaped area must carry a manufacturer-issued no-fade warranty of at least eight years and be cut-pile infill with a pile height between one and two-thirds inches and one and three-quarter inches, using parallel long slit blades. The turf blades must show at least two natural green colors plus a beige or tan thatch layer, and it must sit on a permeable triple-layer backing that percolates water at a minimum of 30 inches per hour into an underlying drainage system so it does not pool or run off.

Fill material must be silica sand or zeolite, brushed in to keep blades upright; rubber crumb infill is expressly prohibited, and any replacement fill must match the original. The turf must resist tearing (minimum 200-pound tear grab strength), staining, weather, insects, rot, mildew and fungus, and it must pass the pill burn flammability test. Indoor/outdoor carpeting and artificial shrubs, flowers, trees or vines are barred as substitutes for real plants. 050(A)(4)(b) requires a licensed installer experienced with artificial turf, removal of existing plant material, and three inches of compacted aggregate base for drainage and stability.

The area must be sloped and graded to prevent pooling or runoff onto neighboring property, permanently anchored with nails and glue with seams nailed or sewn and glued to hide edges, and separated from live planting by a mow strip or bender board. Old irrigation piping and sprinkler heads under the turf must be capped or removed and hidden from view. Turf cannot be installed within a five-foot radius of any tree trunk, and it is banned outright in all parkways. 050(A)(4)(c) require keeping the surface clean, unfaded and free of weeds, stains, tears, holes, ruts and odors; damaged sections must be repaired or replaced to match the rest of the lawn, and the whole installation must be replaced once it can no longer be kept up to standard. Parking a vehicle on artificial turf is prohibited. This chapter was adopted by Ord. 4823, passed January 22, 2024.