Norwalk, CA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)

010, the City's Landscape Standards, permits artificial turf in lieu of natural grass for single-family front yards under subsection C(3)(b) and for multi-family developments under subsection D(2), in both cases subject to the Director's approval and the standards in subsection H. Those Artificial Turf Standards require the turf be installed alongside live, natural plant materials so it does not cover more than 70% of the landscape area, with blades that emulate real grass through lifelike individual strands featuring a minimum of two shades of green and a pile height of at least one and one-half inches.

Installation must allow water to percolate into the soil beneath, so solid weed barriers are barred, and indoor/outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting cannot be used as a substitute for genuine artificial turf product. Once installed, turf must be kept neat and clean through regular maintenance, including debris removal and brushing, disinfecting and washing the blades, and must be replaced or repaired at the first sign of fading, tearing, staining, holes, indentation, or deterioration, including when the City flags it as a nuisance condition under Title 8. 250 must sign a release protecting the City and utilities from any damage the work causes to the turf.