Centerville City has implemented new requirements for water-efficient landscaping throughout the city.  This move is designed to assist homeowners and businesses in becoming eligible for water conservation incentive programs administered by the State and local water conservancy districts. The city council unanimously passed the ordinance change at its April 7 meeting.

The changes were made to ensure residents remain eligible for state rebate programs while addressing regional water shortages, city officials said. It also brings local code into alignment with State of Utah conservation requirements.

This decision follows nearly a year of meetings between city leadership and the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District to help bring the city’s zoning code into alignment with new state conservation requirements. 

The ordinance introduces specific lawn and turf restrictions for all new development applications submitted on or after May 1, 2026. Under these new rules, lawn and turf are prohibited in all park strips and any landscaped areas less than 8 feet wide. 

Along with water conservation these changes limiting our hardscape to those things … will help us maintain more efficiently our storm drain system and not send bark and mulch down the storm drain, City Attorney Lisa Romney said.

For single-family residential lots, turf is limited to a maximum of 35% of the total landscaped area in front and side yards. Commercial, industrial and multifamily projects can only have a maximum of 15 percent turf across their total landscaped areas.

The city is also requiring all new irrigation systems to be automatic and equipped with rain delay sensors or WaterSense labeled smart controllers to reduce water waste. 

To minimize loss from wind and evaporation, irrigation is only allowed between the hours of 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. In areas where secondary water is available culinary water cannot be used to water landscaped areas. 

Current residences with established lawns are largely grandfathered in as their landscaping will not meet the new standards. Only If a single-family home undergoes a total demolition and rebuild, or a remodel that increases the home’s square footage by more than 50 percent would the new changes apply. Construction of accessory structures like sheds or detached garages will not trigger a requirement to replace existing lawn.

For new projects, in addition to the grass limits, under the change, the city also highly recommends that 90 percent of all plant materials be drought-tolerant and water-efficient. The city is also recommending such practices as performing soil scarification (breaking up the soil so it isn't so packed down) and mixing in natural materials like compost or peat moss at least six inches deep. 

With these changes Centerville aims to assist homeowners and businesses in becoming eligible for water conservation incentive programs like “Cash-for-Grass” or “Flip-your-Strip” rebates and WaterSense Smart Controller Incentives through state-sponsored programs like “Slow the Flow” or those offered directly by the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District.