Palmdale, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum pile height
- 1.5 inches
- Grooming schedule
- Brush every 2 weeks, rake monthly
- Sanitizing
- Required once a year
- Plastic/nylon carpet turf
- Prohibited outright
- Tree root clearance
- 5 ft from synthetic turf
- Existing single-family homes
- Follow § 17.37.010(G) instead
Summary
Palmdale's landscaping code lets synthetic turf substitute for natural grass for water conservation or in high-traffic areas under PMC § 17.86.010(G), but imposes real material and upkeep rules: blades must mimic real grass with at least a 1.5-inch pile height, drainage must go in underneath, and plain plastic or nylon 'carpet' turf is flatly banned.
(G) Turf and Synthetic Turf. The following standards shall apply to all project landscaping with the exception of projects that must comply with PMC Chapter 14.05 (Water Efficient Landscape) or existing single-family residential development (see PMC § 17.37.010(G) (Landscaping)). (1) Turf areas shall be limited to activity or recreation areas. (2) Synthetic turf may be used as a substitute for natural turf for the purposes of water conservation, or in high activity or foot-traffic areas such as sports fields. The following standards shall apply to the use and maintenance of synthetic turf. (a) Synthetic turf shall consist of life-like individual blades of grass that emulate real grass in look and color and have a minimum pile height of one and one-half inches. (b) Synthetic turf used for pet areas shall be specifically formulated for that purpose. (c) A proper drainage system shall be installed underneath to prevent excess runoff or pooling of water. (e) The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement for synthetic turf or natural turf shall be prohibited. (f) Tree root crowns shall be kept a minimum of five feet away from synthetic turf areas. (g)(iii) A turf groomer shall be used to maintain the distribution of the infill material in the turf and to raise the turf fibers. Brushing should be performed every couple of weeks, raking of the turf should be performed once a month, and cleaning/sanitizing shall be performed once a year.
Full Breakdown
010(G). Natural turf itself is restricted to activity or recreation areas, not decorative lawns generally. Synthetic turf may substitute for natural grass either for water conservation or in high-activity, high-foot-traffic areas such as sports fields, and once installed it must consist of life-like individual blades that emulate real grass in look and color with a minimum pile height of one and one-half inches. Turf used in pet areas must be a formulation specifically made for that purpose, and a proper drainage system is required underneath every installation to stop runoff or pooling.
Tree root crowns must stay at least five feet away from any synthetic turf area. Ongoing maintenance is mandatory, not optional: the turf must be kept free of moss, mold, algae, and fungus, chemical agents or contaminated water cannot be applied to it, and a turf groomer must be used to redistribute infill and raise the fibers, with brushing required roughly every two weeks, raking once a month, and full cleaning or sanitizing once a year. Separately, the section bans indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a stand-in for either synthetic or natural turf, closing off the cheapest workaround.
Violations & Fines
Installations that go moss-covered, moldy, or fall out of the brushing/raking/annual-sanitizing schedule, or that use banned plastic/nylon carpeting instead of true synthetic turf, fall out of compliance with § 17.86.010(G) and (I)'s general duty that 'all landscaping shall be kept in an orderly condition,' exposing the property to code enforcement action requiring restoration or replacement of the nonconforming surface.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is artificial turf allowed on new commercial or multifamily landscaping in Palmdale?
Can I lay down plain outdoor plastic carpet instead of a lawn in Palmdale?
Does this synthetic turf section apply to my existing single-family home's lawn?
How often does Palmdale require synthetic turf to be maintained?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palmdale
How Palmdale compares: Most Artificial Turf-Friendly Cities·California rules heatmap·Compare Palmdale to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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