Provo, UT Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Provo City Code Section 15.20.060(6) sets xeric and water-wise landscaping criteria for yards adjacent to a street: living vegetation, turf grass, shrubs, perennials, or ornamental grasses must cover at least 40% of the unbuilt surface area within three years of planting, with tree canopy and weeds excluded from that count. The remaining unbuilt area must be covered by bark or wood mulch, decorative rock, hardscape, or a combination, with living plants grouped aesthetically. Within that same standard, Subsection (6)(d) flatly states artificial turf grass is prohibited, except in athletic fields and public recreation spaces, and Subsection (6)(e) separately bars using outdoor carpet in landscaping.

Section 15.20.070(2) then requires the owner, registered agent, manager, or other responsible party to maintain all landscaping materials, fences, walls, and irrigation systems in a live and thriving condition, fertilized, mowed, trimmed, and free of weeds, dead plants, litter, or debris, and it expressly states zeroscaping is not permitted, though xeric landscaping under 15.20.060(6) is allowed. Sidewalk-adjacent landscaping cannot encroach on the sidewalk, and tree or shrub canopy over a sidewalk cannot hang lower than seven feet. These landscaping standards apply to new development plans reviewed under Chapter 15.20 and to replacement front-yard landscaping on existing one- and two-family homes, which must be submitted to the Development Services Department for approval under Section 15.20.080(2)(a)(i).