Apex, NC Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing law
- Apex UDO § 8.2.2.B.3.h
- Pervious turf standard
- N.C.G.S. § 143-214.7D
- Buffer/floodplain ban
- Absolute, no exceptions
- ROW ban effective
- Site plans after Apr. 28, 2026
- Grandfather cutoff
- Turf installed before Feb. 24, 2026
Summary
Apex's Unified Development Ordinance allows artificial turf as a grass substitute only where the Planning Director finds natural vegetation impractical, and bans it in landscape buffers, floodplains, and new street rights-of-way.
As an alternative to grass, artificial turf meeting the requirements of N.C.G.S. §143-214.7D may be permitted as pervious where its use enhances site durability, minimizes erosion, or addresses maintenance constraints, provided it is installed to ensure adequate drainage and long-term performance. Artificial turf shall be a natural grass color and shall be limited to areas where the Planning Director or designee determines that natural vegetation is impractical to establish or sustain.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Under UDO Sec. 8.2.2.B.3.h, artificial turf meeting N.C. state stormwater standards (N.C.G.S. § 143-214.7D) can count as pervious surface, but only in areas the Planning Director designates as impractical for real vegetation, athletic fields, roof terraces, shaded courtyards, or high-traffic common areas, and it must be a natural grass color. Turf that doesn't meet the state pervious standard is treated as impervious and counts against the built-upon-area cap in Sec. 5.1. Turf is flatly prohibited in required landscape buffers, the Resource Conservation Area, riparian buffers, and floodplains (Sec. 8.2.2.B.3.h(iii)), and separately barred from public street rights-of-way on subdivisions or site plans approved after April 28, 2026 (Sec. 7.2.1.I). Turf installed before February 24, 2026 may stay in place if well maintained, but can't be expanded beyond its original footprint. This standard applies town-wide within Apex's corporate limits and its mapped extraterritorial jurisdiction.
Violations & Fines
Installing turf without Planning Director sign-off, in a banned buffer/floodplain/right-of-way area, or expanding grandfathered turf past its footprint is a UDO violation, subject to a stop-work order and the Ordinance's standard $100-per-violation civil penalty (UDO § 11.4.4).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I put artificial turf on my Apex lawn?
Is turf allowed in Apex's street rights-of-way?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Apex
How Apex compares: Most Artificial Turf-Friendly Cities·Compare Apex to another location·View the North Carolina landscaping rules overview
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