Santa Clarita, CA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- Landscaping credit cap
- 50% of required landscaping
- Permit type
- Class I application
- Minimum permeability
- 25 inches/hour water infiltration
- Fiber warranty
- 6-8 years vs UV fading
- Blade height
- 1.5 inches average minimum
- Section
- UDC § 17.51.030(C)(3)
Summary
Santa Clarita lets property owners swap water-hungry lawn for artificial or synthetic turf as a 'Class I' application under its Landscaping and Irrigation Standards, but the substitute grass can only count toward up to 50% of the landscaping a project is required to install, and it must clear technical fiber, backing, drainage, and fire-rating standards before the Director signs off.
3. Artificial or Synthetic Turf. Any use of artificial or synthetic turf is permitted as a Class I application. The use of artificial and synthetic turf may count towards required landscaping as long as it does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the required landscaping. The installation and type of requirements shall meet the requirements as listed in this section, unless otherwise approved by the Director. a. Prior to approval of any artificial or synthetic turf, the applicant shall submit all required materials for review per the requirements on file with the City. b. The primary layer on native soil shall be nonwoven, highly permeable soil stabilizing fabric for the soil type and conditions of the installation. Fabrics must be porous and not impede infiltration of normal watershed to the appropriate drainage. c. Minimum three (3) to five (5) inches of appropriate compactable aggregate base with subsequent or additional imported base materials and fabric layers is required.
Full Breakdown
030(C)(3) is the City's water-conservation answer to lawn replacement: 'Any use of artificial or synthetic turf is permitted as a Class I application. ' Before installing it, the applicant must submit the manufacturer and installation materials the City keeps on file for review under subsection (a). The primary layer over native soil must be a nonwoven, highly permeable, soil-stabilizing fabric that does not block drainage, set on three to five inches of compactable aggregate base. Acceptable turf fiber is limited to polyethylene, polypropylene, or nylon carrying at least a six-year (nylon) or eight-year (polyethylene/polypropylene) manufacturer warranty against UV fading, meeting ASTM standards, with backing that drains vertically through perforated latex or polyurethane coating; horizontally draining backing cannot be infilled.
Infill is limited to approved materials such as recycled rubber crumb, acrylic-coated silica, sand, or recycled PET beadlets, and every material submitted must include lab documentation that it passes a total-content leach test for ordinary landfill disposal. 5 inches, and 'appear seamless' with no fading, exposed seams, or corners once installed, a standard the owner must keep maintaining for as long as the turf is down.
Violations & Fines
Installing synthetic turf that exceeds the 50% landscaping cap, skips the required drainage fabric or fire-rated fiber, or is allowed to fade, buckle, or show exposed seams is a violation of § 17.51.030(C)(3), and the Director can require replacement or removal as a condition of maintaining landscape plan approval. Because the standard is enforced through the Unified Development Code, a noncompliant installation is also a public nuisance under Municipal Code § 1.01.210, subject to summary abatement or a cost-recovery civil action under § 1.01.220.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I cover my whole yard in artificial turf?
What materials does the City require underneath the turf?
Does old, faded turf violate the code?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Clarita
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Clarita to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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