Rancho Cucamonga, CA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- Synthetic turf pile height
- minimum 1.5 inches
- Drainage
- system required underneath synthetic turf
- Plastic/nylon carpeting
- banned as lawn substitute
- Front yard ratio
- synthetic turf counts as landscape, not hardscape
- Parkway synthetic turf
- must avoid tree root protection zone
Summary
Homeowners may swap natural lawn for synthetic turf to conserve water under Development Code Section 17.56.050(L), but the replacement grass must have blades at least one and one-half inches tall, look like a real, well-maintained lawn, and drain properly underneath. Plain plastic or nylon carpeting used as a lawn substitute is banned.
Synthetic turf (lawns). Synthetic turf may be used as a substitute for natural turf for the purposes of water conservation. The following standards shall apply to the use and maintenance of synthetic turf. 1. Synthetic turf shall consist of lifelike individual blades of grass that emulate real grass in look and color and have a minimum pile height of one and one-half inches. 2. A proper drainage system shall be installed underneath to prevent excess runoff or pooling of water. 3. Synthetic turf shall be installed and maintained to effectively simulate the appearance of a well maintained lawn. 4. The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a replacement for synthetic turf or natural turf shall be prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4999536; v21 updated 2026-07-15).
Full Breakdown
050(L) is the city's turf-replacement rule: synthetic turf is expressly authorized as a substitute for natural grass for water conservation, but the installation has to look and function like real turf. The blades must be individually lifelike, matching real grass in color and shape, with a minimum pile height of one and one-half inches, and a proper drainage system must be installed underneath so water doesn't pool or run off. The finished lawn has to be installed and maintained so that it continues to simulate a well-kept natural lawn, and the code separately bans using generic indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting as a stand-in for either synthetic or natural turf. 070(C)(1). 090(D).
Violations & Fines
Installing bare plastic or nylon carpeting as a lawn substitute, or letting synthetic turf drain poorly or look worn instead of like a maintained lawn, is a violation of Section 17.56.050(L) enforceable through the city's standard code enforcement process, and can require the material to be replaced with a conforming product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace my lawn with synthetic turf in Rancho Cucamonga?
Does synthetic turf count toward my required front-yard landscaping?
Can I install synthetic turf in the parkway strip by the street?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Rancho Cucamonga
California rules heatmap·Compare Rancho Cucamonga to another location·View the California water use rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Turf Replacement Rebates in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle turf replacement rebates.