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

330, which applies to new landscape projects of 500 square feet or more and rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more that require a building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review. 060(D)(1)(c) sets a specific turf restriction: "Turf is not allowed on slopes greater than twenty-five percent (25%) where the toe of the slope is adjacent to an impermeable hardscape," with the code defining that 25 percent as one foot of vertical rise for every four feet of horizontal run. The rule targets the runoff risk created when irrigated turf sits on a steep grade draining directly onto pavement, sidewalks, or other hardscape that can't absorb the water.

0, from street medians, and requires landscape design plans in fire-prone areas to address defensible space under Public Resources Code Sections 4291(a) and (b). A project's landscape architect or designer has to show compliance with the slope restriction as part of the Landscape Documentation Package submitted for plan check; the City's Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet and design plan review are the mechanism for catching a proposed steep-slope lawn before installation, rather than a field inspection after the fact. 200.