Chino, CA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- Max real turf
- 25% of required landscape area
- Max artificial turf
- 30% of required landscape area
- Min water-efficient plants
- 50% of required landscape area
- Max hardscape
- 25% of required landscape area
- Base coverage
- 70% RD1/RD2, 60% RD4.5, 50% RD8
- Adopted
- Ord. 2015-008 § 1, 2015; amended Ord. 2016-005 §§ 12-13, 2016
Summary
Existing single-family front yards in Chino may cover only up to 25% of the required landscape area with real turf and up to 30% with artificial turf when modifying or rehabilitating that landscaping. At least half the area must go to water-efficient plants, and no more than a quarter may be hardscape, under Municipal Code Section 20.19.040(C)(2).
2.Existing Single Family Residential Zoning Districts. The following shall apply to existing single-family front yard landscaping, including modifications, turf removal and/or rehabilitation.a.The required front yard landscape as outlined in Table 20.04-3 (minimum landscape coverage, seventy percent for RD1 and RD2, sixty percent for RD4.5 and fifty percent for RD8), exclusive of hardscape areas for driveways or vehicle access shall be landscaped.1.A maximum of twenty-five percent of the required landscape area may be planted with turf as defined in section 20.24.2.No more than thirty percent of the required landscape area should utilize artificial turf. Artificial turf shall be designed and installed as outlined in section 20.19.040.B.4.3.A minimum of fifty percent of the required landscape area should be planted with water efficient plant material as defined in section 20.19.040.B.2.4.A maximum of twenty-five percent of the required landscape area should be covered with other hardscape material as defined in section 20.24.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 38).
Full Breakdown
040(C)(2) governs existing single-family residential zoning districts undergoing front-yard landscaping changes, including modifications, turf removal, and rehabilitation. 5, and 50% for RD8, measured exclusive of hardscape used for driveways or vehicle access. 24. The code frames the residual guidance as an encouragement rather than a flat percentage: it says planted material should consist primarily of native or climate-appropriate species that need less water in warmer months, and that primarily non-native, high-water-demand plant material or full desertscape is discouraged, while a mixed approach that otherwise satisfies the caps is acceptable.
070(B), the prescriptive irrigation compliance option covering automatic controllers, pressure regulators, and runoff prevention. 19 landscaping ordinance adopted to implement the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, first enacted by Ord. 2015-008, Section 1, 2015, and amended by Ord. 2016-005, Sections 12 and 13, 2016, which added the current turf and artificial-turf percentage caps.
Violations & Fines
Front-yard landscape work that exceeds the 25% real-turf or 30% artificial-turf caps, or that fails to meet the irrigation standards, does not clear director of community development sign-off and cannot receive its landscape permit approval or certificate of completion. Because compliance is enforced through the permitting and inspection process rather than a standalone fine schedule, unpermitted or noncompliant installation falls under the general penalty of Section 1.12.010, a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 or six months, chargeable as an infraction, with each day of noncompliance a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much of my front yard can I replace with artificial turf in Chino?
Can I replace all my grass with real turf and skip plants entirely?
What percent coverage does my front yard need to landscape in the first place?
Do I need a permit to swap my lawn for turf-friendly landscaping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Chino
California rules heatmap·Compare Chino to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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