Upland, CA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- UMC § 17.12.050(A)(3)
- Applies to
- Landscape projects 2,500+ sq ft
- Standard
- Turf minimized, within water budget
- Turf type encouraged
- Warm season turf
- Enforcement
- MAWA audits under §§ 17.12.100-.110
Summary
Upland caps turf in new and rehabilitated landscape projects rather than banning it outright. Municipal Code Section 17.12.050(A)(3) directs that turf be minimized, used only where functionally needed, and never exceed the project's maximum annual applied water allowance, with warm-season turf strongly encouraged wherever it is installed.
A. In addition to the design standards contained in Section 17.12.060, the following criteria should be incorporated into the landscape design: ... 3. The use of turf shall be minimized; turf areas shall be used wisely in response to functional needs and shall not exceed the maximum annual applied water allowance. Where turf is installed, the use of warm season turf is strongly encouraged.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4480959; v4 updated 2025-09-22).
Full Breakdown
020. 050 lists design criteria qualifying plans must incorporate, and subsection (A)(3) targets turf directly: turf use shall be minimized, turf areas shall be used wisely in response to functional needs and shall not exceed the maximum annual applied water allowance, and where turf is installed, warm-season turf is strongly encouraged. 090. 050 pairs the turf limit with related criteria: protecting existing native species, favoring lower-water trees, shrubs and groundcover, and encouraging mulch and stormwater capture. 8 evapotranspiration adjustment factor for those older sites.
Violations & Fines
A landscape that exceeds its maximum annual applied water allowance, including through excess turf, is subject to the city's monitoring and enforcement program under Section 17.12.110. A property found in excess of its approved allowance may be subject to the same administrative procedures and penalties outlined in Municipal Code Section 13.16.020, separate from the misdemeanor track in Chapter 1.16.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is turf banned in Upland?
What size projects must limit turf under this section?
What happens if an existing lawn uses more water than allowed?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Upland
California rules heatmap·Compare Upland to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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