Santa Cruz, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

The County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Chapter 13.13) guidance explicitly lists artificial turf as an alternative to a water-thirsty lawn: 'If you want a recreation surface, you might consider artificial turf.' It is not banned in the unincorporated County. The County's only stated preferences are environmental: choose products that minimize petroleum products and other environmental effects and are biodegradable; and design the site to filter or capture the water that flows off the artificial surface into other landscape areas, using onsite stormwater treatment such as vegetated swales, filter strips, or rain gardens. Because synthetic turf is impervious, projects may need to address stormwater and drainage under the County's grading and drainage rules, and large installations tied to building permits should be shown on landscape and drainage plans. Artificial turf does not count toward WELO irrigated-landscape water budgets since it uses no water, but it also does not satisfy any required-planting or habitat conditions. Homeowners in HOAs should check association rules, which are separate from County code; note that California law (Government Code) generally bars HOAs and local agencies from prohibiting drought-tolerant landscaping, including in many cases artificial turf used for water conservation.