(Jan. 22)

Staring Jan. 1, a new California law set some broad guidelines for developers and builders to replace turf and lawn sprinklers with drought tolerant plants, mulch and drip irrigation. But the California Water Conservation in Landscaping Act also allows local jurisdictions to impose their own landscaping and watering restrictions for future building projects, and many are doing just that, according to an article in the Press Democrat.

In the town of Windsor, any subdivision of five or more homes is subject to a new ordinance that relegates grass lawns to the backyard. Santa Rosa has imposed a new “water-efficient landscape ordinance” to any project that requires a building permit.

In the unincorporated areas of Sonoma County, any commercial or residential building project larger than 400 sq. ft. can't have a turf area larger than 600 sq. ft. -- roughly the size of a two-car garage -- unless a moisture-sensitive irrigation system is installed.

Other conties and cities are still evaluating the state law, which was passed in 2006 but did not go into effect until this year, according to the article. Enforcement will most likely be left to building inspectors who will just add  “landscape plan checks” to their building permit sign-off sheets.