Lynnwood, WA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- High water use turf cap
- 25% of landscaped area
- Remaining area
- low water/drought-resistant plantings
- Irrigation control
- automatic + rain sensor required
- Preferred watering window
- midnight to 6:00 a.m.
- Mulch allowance
- up to 6 inches for young plants
Summary
New landscaping in Lynnwood cannot rely mainly on a thirsty lawn: the Unified Development Code's xeriscaping standard caps high water use turf at 25 percent of the landscaped area, requiring the rest to be planted in low water or drought resistant turf, groundcover, native grasses, shrubs or trees.
Low water use varieties of turf must be used. ... High water use turf must be limited to no more than 25 percent of the landscaped area and remaining landscaped area must be of low water or drought-resistant turf varieties, groundcover, native grasses, shrubs, or trees.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: current through Ordinance 3512, passed May 26, 2026).
Full Breakdown
0220(J), Xeriscaping, applies to landscape plans submitted under Title 8. to reduce evaporation. Subsection (J)(4) sets the numeric limit: low water use turf varieties must be used, and high water use turf is capped at no more than 25 percent of the landscaped area, with the rest planted in low water or drought-resistant turf, groundcover, native grasses, shrubs or trees. 8). 0220(C)(1) reinforces this by requiring every irrigation system, xeriscaped or not, to include an automatic controller with an overriding rain sensor that shuts off watering during rainfall.
Violations & Fines
A landscape plan proposing more than 25 percent high water use turf, or omitting the required automatic controller and rain sensor for its irrigation system, fails review under LMC 8.40.0220(J) and (C)(1); the development and business services department will not approve occupancy until the required xeriscape-compliant landscaping is installed or financially guaranteed under LMC 8.40.0220(A)(2).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a new Lynnwood development install a full turf lawn?
Does Lynnwood require drip irrigation for landscaping?
When does the turf cap apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lynnwood
Compare Lynnwood to another location·View the Washington water use rules overview
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Turf Replacement Rebates in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Snohomish County handle turf replacement rebates.