Union City's Water Efficient Landscape ordinance (UCMC Chapter 18.112) implements California's MWELO. New landscapes of 500+ sq ft and rehab projects of 2,500+ sq ft must use climate-adapted, low-water plants, limit turf, and avoid invasive species.
Union City adopted the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) as UCMC Chapter 18.112. It applies to new construction projects with 500 square feet or more of landscape, and rehabilitated projects of 2,500 square feet or more, that require a building, landscape, or site-development approval (§18.112.020). Such projects file a landscape package and submit the water-efficient landscape worksheet to the Alameda County Water District. The design must select water-conserving species, especially local native plants (§18.112.070); species listed as invasive in Cal-IPC's 'Don't Plant a Pest' brochure may not be installed. The prescriptive path for 500-2,500 sq ft landscapes (§18.112.230) requires climate-adapted plants (WUCOLS factor 0.3) over 75% of the residential plant area, turf not exceeding 25%, a three-inch mulch
A project that fails to submit a compliant landscape package or worksheet under UCMC 18.112 can be denied permit issuance until corrected, and landscapes not matching the approved plan may require replanting. There are no penalties for voluntary home plantings.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Alameda County.
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