EBMUD and the State Water Board fund Berkeley turf-replacement rebates, paying customers per square foot to remove lawn and install climate-appropriate plants and high-efficiency drip irrigation.
Berkeley homeowners participate in the EBMUD Lawn Conversion Rebate Program, which currently pays roughly $1.25 to $2 per square foot of removed turf, plus state matching funds during drought stages. Eligible projects must replace lawn with low-water plants or permeable hardscape, retain at least one shade tree per 1,000 square feet where feasible, and use drip or low-volume irrigation. Synthetic turf is generally not rebate-eligible. Pre-conversion inspection and submission of plant lists are required. Berkeley landscape ordinances prohibit replacement designs that increase impervious area or block sidewalk drainage.
Improperly installed conversions can be denied rebates and may trigger stormwater citations if they increase runoff; no separate municipal fine applies to participation choices.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting lawn ornaments, statues, or yard art on private property. HOA architectural guidelines under the Davis-Stirling ...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting inflatable holiday decorations on private property. HOA architectural rules under the Davis-Stirling Act apply i...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley has no municipal ordinance limiting holiday lights on private residential property. Restrictions come from HOA architectural rules under the Davis-S...
Berkeley, CA
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Berkeley require building, plumbing, electrical, and/or gas permits under BMC Chapter 19.28 (Building Code) when they include u...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley treats outdoor smokers as open-flame cooking devices under California Fire Code 308.1.4 as adopted in BMC 19.48. Multifamily balcony setbacks (10 ft...
Berkeley, CA
Berkeley enforces the California Fire Code (CFC) as adopted in BMC Chapter 19.48. CFC 308.1.4 prohibits open-flame cooking on combustible balconies or within...
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