Single-family landscaping limits
Ordinance 2025-24 caps turf at 35 percent of landscaped front and side yards of new single-family homes and requires living plants over at least half of street-facing landscaping, satisfying a condition of a $10 million state water line grant.
- Where it stands
- Approved
- Type
- Code change
- Location
- Citywide (new single-family homes)
- Applicant
- Ogden Planning Division
Every hearing and vote
July 15, 2025 · City Council
Ordinance 2025-24: landscaping limits for new single-family homes
Approved · 7-0
The amendment to Ogden Municipal Code 15-13-16.E caps turf grass at 35 percent of landscaped front and side yards of new single-family homes, requires at least 50 percent of street-facing landscaping to be living plants, and requires a barrier next to driveways to stop parking on mulch or rock. Planning Manager Brierley said it satisfies a condition of a $10 million Utah Department of Natural Resources grant for replacing the 36-inch water line through Ogden Canyon. Speakers including Amy Wicks (Utah Rivers Council) and Michelle Tanner urged going further, including existing and commercial properties; Laura Lewis raised erosion concerns; Robert Hunter asked for landscaping education. Council Member Dave Graf said he supports conserving water but worried about a shift to rock, noting that residential use is a small share of state water use and that agriculture is the largest. Chair Marcia White and others asked about education; Brierley said materials will follow adoption. All seven members voted yes.