San Luis Obispo County, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

On October 28, 2015, the Board of Supervisors adopted Ordinance No. 95 to Title 19 (Building and Construction) of the County Code, which incorporates by reference the California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, 23 CCR Div. 2, Ch. 7). The ordinance applies in unincorporated areas to all new development projects with a total landscape area of 500 sq ft or more, and to landscape rehabilitations greater than 2,500 sq ft. Applicants must submit either a Prescriptive Compliance Package (LNG-1012) for smaller projects or a Performance Compliance Package (LNG-1011) demonstrating compliance with the Maximum Applied Water Allowance.

Exemptions include registered historical sites, ecological restoration projects without permanent irrigation, mined-land reclamation, and existing botanical collections. Statewide, AB 1572 (Water Code Sec. 14) prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, institutional, and HOA common-area properties, phasing in from January 1, 2027 for state/local government and January 1, 2028 for CII and HOA properties.