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

32 of the Temecula Municipal Code, the Water Efficient Landscape Design ordinance implementing the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO), governs turf on new and rehabilitated landscape projects. 200), turf is capped outright: residential landscapes may not exceed 25% turf coverage, and non-residential landscapes may have none at all. Turf also cannot be planted on slopes steeper than a 1-foot vertical rise per 4 feet of horizontal run, since sloped turf wastes irrigation water to runoff. 3 or lower) across 75% of the residential plant area, or 100% of the non-residential plant area, excluding edibles and areas irrigated with recycled water.

A 3-inch mulch layer is required on exposed soil outside turf areas, and compost must be tilled in at a rate of four cubic yards per 1,000 square feet to a 6-inch depth. 030 sets the reach of the chapter: new landscapes and rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more that require a permit, plan check, or design review are covered, while smaller lots meeting their entire landscape water demand from graywater or on-site captured rainwater are limited to the Appendix B option alone.

110 separately directs that residential front-yard turf be used sparingly for functional needs only and comply with the water budget formula in Appendix A. 170 authorizes ongoing maintenance and enforcement review, including irrigation audits, to confirm turf and irrigation as installed match the approved plan.