Olathe, KS Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Olathe's Unified Development Ordinance ties every final site development plan and building permit to a landscaping and irrigation standard. Native vegetation and drought-resistant plants are preferred; choosing anything else triggers a mandatory irrigation system that must water the planting through a three-year establishment period. Where irrigation is installed, it must be zoned separately for turf versus shrubs and trees, avoid spraying onto streets, and use rain sensors on automatic controllers where feasible. Xeriscape techniques -- reduced turf area, mulching, native species -- are the code's built-in path to cut water use. Agricultural land and the Downtown district are exempt; this applies citywide in Johnson County, Kansas.