Burbank's Sustainable Water Use Ordinance bans irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians and encourages drought-tolerant landscaping; new and rehabilitated landscapes must also comply with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).
Burbank promotes drought-tolerant and native landscaping through its water-conservation program and the Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (BMC 8-2-301 et seq.). Among the year-round Stage I measures, BMC 8-2-304(A)(14) provides 'Do not irrigate ornamental turf on public street medians.' For new construction and major landscape renovations, Burbank applies the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), codified in the California Code of Regulations, Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7 (Sections 490-495), which sets water budgets, plant-factor limits favoring low-water and native plants, and irrigation-efficiency standards for covered landscape projects. Burbank does not mandate that existing private lawns be converted to native plants, but offers turf-replacement guidance and rebates through Burbank Water and Power and regional programs.
Violations of the Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (including median-turf irrigation) are enforced by administrative citation under BMC 1-1-108.1; MWELO compliance is verified at building/landscape permit review for covered projects.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Burbank, CA
BMC 9-3-210 makes it unlawful to repair, rebuild, or test a motor vehicle during nighttime in or within 500 feet of a residential zone if it annoys a reasona...
Burbank, CA
Under the Burbank Municipal Code, any premises keeping five or more dogs, cats, or a combination of them aged four months or older is a 'kennel' and requires...
Burbank, CA
Burbank has no separate backyard-fire ordinance; recreational backyard fires are governed by the 2025 California Fire Code adopted in Burbank Municipal Code ...
Burbank, CA
Open burning is prohibited in Burbank except by permit from the Fire Code Official for a short list of purposes. Burbank Municipal Code 9-1-9-307.1.1.1 (a lo...
Burbank, CA
Properties in fire hazard zones must maintain 100 ft of defensible space per CA PRC 4291. Burbank Fire Department enforces brush clearance in hillside areas ...
Burbank, CA
All fireworks are illegal in Burbank. Burbank Municipal Code 9-1-9-5608.1(a), a local amendment to the adopted California Fire Code, flatly prohibits any per...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
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