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

Section 26-85(j) of the West Covina Development Code authorizes synthetic turf as a substitute for natural turf specifically for the purpose of water conservation, giving property owners a code-sanctioned alternative to traditional lawns. The standards differ by zoning: on properties zoned multi-family residential or non-residential, installing synthetic turf requires an administrative permit processed under Article VI, Division 6 of the Development Code, while turf placed within the setback areas of R-1 or R-A single-family lots, or in areas visible from a public street, park, or public parking lot, is governed directly by the same subsection's design standards without that separate permit step.

Those design standards are specific: the turf must consist of lifelike individual blades that emulate real grass in color and appearance, with a minimum pile height of one and one-half inches, ruling out thin, obviously synthetic-looking products. Installation must include a proper drainage system underneath the turf to prevent excess runoff or the pooling of water, a requirement aimed at stormwater management rather than aesthetics. The code separately bans a cheaper substitute: indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting used as a stand-in for real turf is flatly prohibited, whether laid over dirt or existing sod.

Once installed, synthetic turf areas must be periodically maintained to simulate the appearance of a well-kept lawn and combined with natural plant materials such as trees, shrubs, hedges, or ground cover so the yard reads as landscaped rather than paved over. Where an administrative permit is required, that approval is not indefinite; it is valid for up to ten years or for whatever shorter period matches the manufacturer's recommended turf longevity, after which the property owner must seek a new permit or replace the material.