Landscape Regulations for New Development

The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO), Chapter 16.16 of the Santa Cruz Municipal Code, was adopted to promote efficient water use in landscapes and to help manage water demand when water needs are the highest.  

In accordance with new state standards, the City of Santa Cruz recently has updated its landscape ordinance.  Applications for building permits submitted on or after January 1st, 2017 will be subject to these updated requirements. Highlights of the new ordinance include:

  • The WELO now does not allow turf in new non-residential landscape projects. 

  • The WELO now applies to developer installed landscaping projects on sites with irrigated landscaped area greater than 1,500 sq. ft. 

  • Singe and two-unit residential projects are not subject to the full WELO but are required to meet some specific requirements depending on the parcel size. 

Landscape and irrigation plans meeting specific water conservation standards are required as part of the building plan application process for the following projects:

  • New commercial, industrial, and public development projects requiring a building permit, land use approval, or new/modified water service,
  • Existing developments required to relandscape as part of approval, 
  • Developer-installed residential landscaping equal to or greater than 1500 square feet,
  • New single-family and two-unit residential developments (requirements dependent upon parcel size--please see ordinance for specific requirements),
  • New recreation areas. 

Please call the Water Engineering Section at 831-420-5210 with any questions or requests for clarification.

A requirement for most developments is the use of a weather-based irrigation controller.

To help guide your plans for a water efficient landscape, please refer to the current edition of the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS).  

Read the Entire Text of the Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

 

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