Santa Maria, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Alternate-compliance threshold
- 2,500 sq ft or less landscape area
- Compliance method
- graywater or on-site captured rainwater
- Standard-track trigger
- 500 sq ft new / 2,500 sq ft rehab
- Governing chapter
- SMMC Chapter 12-44, Landscape Standards
- Reviewing department
- Community Development Department
- Appeal path
- Planning Commission, then City Council
Summary
Santa Maria's water-efficient landscape ordinance lets smaller projects skip formal water-use calculations entirely if they meet their landscape water needs with stored rainwater captured on site or with graywater, under Municipal Code Section 12-44.03(f).
Any project with an aggregate landscape area of 2,500 square feet or less may avoid specific water use calculations by conforming to the prescriptive measures contained in the State's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, including projects that meet their Estimated Total Water Use entirely with either treated or untreated graywater, or through stored rainwater captured on site.
Full Breakdown
4 of the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. 03(f) then carves out an alternative path for projects at or under 2,500 square feet: they may skip the specific water-use math by following the state model ordinance's prescriptive measures, including designs that meet their entire Estimated Total Water Use with treated or untreated graywater, or with stored rainwater captured on site. (the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act) and the state's 2015 Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance. 09(a)(1) reinforces the point for residential developers, requiring model-home signage that demonstrates low water-use approaches including rainwater catchment systems. 03(c), with appeals running first to the Planning Commission and then the City Council.
Violations & Fines
Skipping the water budget calculations without actually meeting the site's water needs through qualifying graywater or on-site rainwater capture is a Title 12 zoning violation. It is enforceable as a public nuisance under Section 12-42.03, subject to City Attorney abatement, and as a misdemeanor under Section 12-42.04, punishable under Chapter 1-6 of the code. The city can also withhold the certificate of occupancy until the landscape completion package is submitted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use harvested rainwater instead of doing a water budget calculation?
What size project triggers the full water budget calculation?
Does the city require proof my rainwater system works?
Who reviews rainwater harvesting landscape plans in Santa Maria?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Maria
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Maria to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.