The City Council has voted to ban front lawns for new homes in an effort to use less water. The ordinance calls for using drought-resistant plants and drip-irrigation landscaping.
With ample water available this year, the American Canyon City Council voted Tuesday to ease water-use restrictions. Some long-term conservation measures, such as the ban on front lawns for new homes, remain in effect.
AMERICAN CANYON — Less than a week after Gov. Jerry Brown ordered a 25 percent statewide water use reduction, the American Canyon City Council adopted a new ordinance banning front lawns on new homes.
The Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance requires all new developments to use drought resistant plants in the front of homes instead of grass or natural turf.
The ordinance, developed and endorsed by the American Canyon Planning Commission, would not apply to existing homes, nor would it prevent lawns in backyards.
Mayor Leon Garcia said consideration of the landscaping ordinance was “certainly very timely” considering the governor’s order and the ongoing drought.
“The forecast for water is pretty dire for California,” said Garcia, who characterized the ordinance as “a wise policy.”
Some members of the council are familiar with going without a front lawn.
Councilmembers Mark Joseph and Joan Bennett mentioned during the debate that they previously removed the grass in front of their homes, and were more than satisfied with the decision.
“We tore up our lawn a few years ago,” said Joseph, adding that his drought-resistant landscaping has attracted butterflies and bees. “A nice benefit,” he added.
Bennett noted that she has a large front yard on her property, but no grass.
“I’m happy with it,” said Bennett of her choice to go with a variety of landscaping alternatives that don’t involve grass.
State law requires all California cities to craft a water-efficient landscaping ordinance, or use a state model ordinance, according to Community Development Director Brent Cooper.
The city had until now followed the state example.
But in creating its own ordinance, American Canyon went further than most cities have done.
Cooper said the city’s zero-front-lawn approach is something few, if any, California local governments have embraced.
Considering American Canyon water situation, the banning of front lawns for new developments was not surprising.
Since Aug. 1, American Canyon, which lacks a reservoir and had its state water allocation slashed to 5 percent of its maximum, has blocked lawn watering between noon and 6 p.m. and imposed other restrictions.
The City Council will hold a special meeting at 5 p.m. on April 21, with a blue ribbon committee on water resources to discuss the city’s water supply and policies.
