City Set to Endorse Water-Wise Landscaping

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Covering your yard in water-wise plants and decorative bark is technically against the law in Salt Lake City. Landscaping codes require yards to be covered in grass - but that no longer fits with the city's water conservation goals. The Salt Lake City Council is now on the verge of making xeriscaped yards legit.

On April 17th, the City Council will hold a public hearing on changes to the law that will require only one-third of a yard to be filled with grass or other plants. The rest of the yard can be covered in mulch, gravel or rocks.

But first, city water conservation coordinator Stephanie Duer says the city must calm the fears of those who think the change will give people an excuse to abandon their yards in favor of weeds and parked cars. Duer says the city has other laws to address those issues.

She adds that people with drought-tolerant yards have largely escaped punishment in Salt Lake because the codes are enforced on a complaint basis - and city officials have made a habit of interpreting the code loosely to keep from discouraging water-wise planting.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW