Alhambra, CA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- Natural turf cap
- 25% of landscaped area maximum
- Trigger threshold
- New irrigated landscaping over 2,500 sq ft
- Addition trigger
- 50% floor-area growth (single-unit), 10% (multi-unit/non-res)
- Adopted
- Ord. 4823, passed January 22, 2024
- Artificial turf ban zones
- Prohibited in parkways and near tree trunks
- Occupancy hold
- No certificate until landscaping installed
Summary
Alhambra's landscaping ordinance caps natural turf at 25% of the landscaped area on new development, qualifying additions and any landscaping project with more than 2,500 square feet of new irrigated area, steering yards toward drought-tolerant plants or code-compliant artificial turf instead of a full lawn under the city's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Natural turf. Natural turf is subject to the following limitations, unless further restricted pursuant to state law or other regulations.
(a) No more than 25% of the landscaped area may be natural turf.
(b) The installation of natural turf on slopes greater than 25% is prohibited.
(c) Natural turf is prohibited in locations that are less than ten feet wide.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-25: Supplement contains: Local legislation current through Ord. 4851, passed 10-27-25).
Full Breakdown
020). Farms, public recreation areas, registered historic sites, habitat restoration and mined-land reclamation projects without permanent irrigation, and public botanical collections are exempt. 050(A)(5), natural turf on a covered project cannot exceed 25% of the landscaped area, cannot be installed on slopes steeper than 25%, and is barred from strips narrower than ten feet. 3) across the whole yard, by keeping at least 75% of a residential yard in low-water plants, or by running a Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance water-use calculation instead. Artificial turf is allowed as a substitute if it carries an eight-year no-fade warranty, cut-pile blades one and two-thirds to one and three-quarter inches high, a permeable backing draining at least 30 inches per hour, and silica or zeolite infill; rubber crumb infill is banned, and turf cannot be installed in parkways or within five feet of a tree trunk. 070(B)).
Violations & Fines
The city withholds a certificate of occupancy until required landscaping is installed under approved plans (§ 23.17.070(B)), and Option C projects must file a completion certificate confirming compliance with the state water-use formula. Chapter 23.17 sets no separate fine, so violations fall under the citywide general penalty at § 1.12.010: a fine set by City Council resolution or up to six months' imprisonment, with each day of a continuing violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I install a full lawn of natural grass on a new Alhambra home?
Is artificial turf allowed instead of grass?
Does the turf limit apply to every property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alhambra
California rules heatmap·Compare Alhambra to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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