Water-efficient landscaping standards
Proposed standards including a cap on front and side yard lawn, limits on turf on slopes and park strips and WaterSense fixtures. A home builder raised cost concerns and the council tabled the ordinance September 6, 2022.
Approved
- Type
- Code change
- City Council: Residential water rights requirement, EMMC 16.35.130(a)
- City Council: Water-wise landscaping standards and Central Utah Water Conservancy District contract for 2,0…
- City Council: Wash setbacks and water conservation code (work session)
- City Council: Water conservation planning, "50/50 Plan" (work session)
- City Council: Tree planting, development standards, definitions, residential zones and landscaping amendments
In brief
Water-efficient landscaping standards appears on 7 recorded agendas, from the City Council meeting of September 6, 2022 to the City Council meeting of January 16, 2024.
On record, it was tabled once, approved once, and approved with conditions once.
The most recent decision was approved with conditions at the City Council meeting of January 16, 2024.
Follow the money and project delivery
Water-efficient landscaping standards
- Council action
Approved with conditions: Residential water rights requirement, EMMC 16.35.130(a) · Approved minutes Record → · Jan. 16, 2024
- Money in the record
No itemized amount linked in the records collected.
- Signed agreement and payments
Execution and project-level disbursements are not verified by this tracker. They require separate records; meeting approval alone does not establish either.
- Work and operating costs
Check the linked records for completion and recurring operating costs; this tracker does not verify them. Record →
Every hearing and vote
January 16, 2024 · City Council
Residential water rights requirement, EMMC 16.35.130(a)
Approved with conditions
City Engineer Chris Trusty presented a formula assuming 70 percent of irrigated area is sod and 30 percent xeriscape. It raises the outdoor requirement from 2.5 to 3.2 acre-feet per irrigable acre and cuts the indoor rate from 0.53 to 0.34 acre-feet. Multifamily requirements are about 80 percent lower than for other housing types. Council Member Rich Wood suggested a multifamily water usage study and Gray supported it. The council approved the ordinance, allowed staff to clarify PUD water use in non-multifamily communities and directed a multifamily study. It passed 4-1; the scan does not show who voted no. No one spoke at the hearing.
December 5, 2023 · City Council
Water-wise landscaping standards and Central Utah Water Conservancy District contract for 2,000 acre-feet
Approved
The council chose Option 2: 0 percent turf for industrial and commercial, 50 percent for residential and 20 percent for institutional and multifamily outside active recreation, with staff to define side yards and fence lines. Residents would not be eligible for district rebates unless standards are later aligned. Council Member Carolyn Love moved and Burnham seconded. The motion passed 3-2 with Mayor Tom Westmoreland breaking a tie; the scan does not clearly show who voted no. Wright opposed the requirement to amend the contract to get more water and said the city already has 14,300 acre-feet under contract. Love and Council Member Colby Curtis proposed reserving remaining water for nonresidential uses. No one spoke at the hearing.
September 19, 2023 · City Council
Wash setbacks and water conservation code (work session)
Discussed
Staff proposed a 75-foot wash setback based on a hydrological study with recommendations of 50 to 100 feet. The Central Utah Water Conservancy District proposed a 35 percent turf maximum for residential front and side yards and 20 percent for industrial, institutional and multifamily. Love wanted customized setbacks and a trail, Wright favored site-specific standards, and Burnham was concerned about taking private property. No votes were taken.
June 6, 2023 · City Council
Water conservation planning, "50/50 Plan" (work session)
Discussed
Economic Development Director Evan Berrett presented a plan to cut the projected 2050 water increase by half (12,000 acre-feet). The city asked for 3,000 acre-feet a year of the remaining 6,594 acre-feet of Central Water Project water and was allotted an additional 2,000. Love raised concerns about patios counting against allowable turf; Wright supports water-wise requirements but wants to discuss turf square footage with the district; Curtis would support requirements only for the new contract and the existing 1,000 acre-feet combined for Firefly and opposes restricting park strips and grass types; Gray prefers incentives over penalties. Central Utah Water Conservancy District deputy general manager KC Shaw spoke for the district.
May 2, 2023 · City Council
Tree planting, development standards, definitions, residential zones and landscaping amendments
Pending
Natalie Winterton and Terrence Dela Pena were to present changes to Chapters 7.10, 16.35, 17.10, 17.25 and 17.60 that remove the "other plantings" definition, add open space restrictions under Title 16 and update landscape requirements under Title 17. The result is not available.
October 18, 2022 · City Council
Water-wise landscaping (discussion)
Discussed
Staff described LocalScape grant requirements including a 35 percent turf limit on front and side yards; City Administrator Paul Jerome said grass is also prohibited in park strips. Options included incentives, education and water-wise fixtures for new construction.
September 6, 2022 · City Council
Water-efficient landscaping, Chapters 7.10, 16.35, 17.25 and 17.60
Tabled · 5-0
Randy Smith of Fieldstone Homes, for Antelope Meadows, raised landscaping costs and home affordability at the hearing (9:29 to 9:39 p.m.). The council tabled the ordinance and directed staff to work with members on workable solutions.