Santa Monica to see fewer sidewalk puddles, more drought-resistant lawns with new landscaping ordinance
Posted by: Aqua Blog Maven on May 10, 2008 at 5:57 amFrom the Emerald City Blog at LA Times:
Tired of being sprayed by sprinklers? If the sight of puddles on sidewalks in our drought-prone state makes you cringe, you’ll be glad to know Santa Monica’s passed some new landscaping laws. On Earth Day last month, the Santa Monica City Council passed an ordinance for new building construction that not only limits turf-grass lawns but also prohibits putting sprinklers within 18 inches of concrete sidewalks.
That’s right. New buildings — including single family homes — must limit their turf-grass lawns to just 20% or less of the total landscaped area. According to Santa Monica Council member Kevin McKeown, “residential lawns suck water at a rate that makes imposing low-flow showers in apartment buildings almost a joke.”
The new landscaping rules — which are part of a larger revision to the city’s Green Building Design code — are scheduled to go into effect on May 22.
Unfortunately, existing overwatered lawns in your ‘hood likely won’t be affected; the ordinance applies only to new or significantly remodeled buildings. Still, edible gardening, drought-resistant landscaping and local, organic succulent plant companies will likely get much, much more love in the years to come. And cactus shopping looks like it’ll get more popular too.
Read the full text of the Emerald City blog which includes a rundown of the newly passed ordinance in Santa Monica by clicking here.
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