Updated By: mhermosilla
Assigned To: mhermosilla (Planning Division)
On 6/20/22, Maria H. responded by Email:
This is in regards to your web based inquiry (Ticket ID 564973e4 and 56486728) asking if the City of Lathrop offers any incentive if the landscaping is changed to artificial grass. Unfortunately unlike some other bigger and more established cities, the City of Lathrop does not currently offer any incentive when changing your front yard landscaping to artificial grass or any other more water efficient/conserving landscaping.
Just a reminder, at least thirty-five percent (35%) of the front yard and street-side yard shall be landscaped consisting of living plant materials including, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, groundcover, natural turf, flowers, and vines. However, artificial turf may be placed in substitute for natural turf but shall meet the following standards:
a. Artificial turf shall be made from polypropylene, polyethylene, a blend of such fibers, or new industry standard that has very little to no known toxic substance on a permeable backing. Nylon-based or plastic grass blades are not permitted. The use of indoor/outdoor carpeting and artificial shrubs, flowers, trees, and vines instead of natural plantings is prohibited.
b. Artificial turf shall have a minimum blade length (pile height) of 1.25 inches or as determined by the community development director or designee.
c. An appropriate solid barrier device (i.e., concrete mow strip) is required to separate artificial turf from soil and live vegetation.
d. Artificial turf shall be lead free.
e. Artificial turf shall be trimmed to fit against all regular and irregular edges to resemble a natural look.
f. Artificial turf shall be designed to allow water to percolate through synthetic grass at a minimum drain rate of twenty-five (25) inches per hour (or an alternative rate as determined by the public works director) to an adequate drainage system installed underneath the artificial turf to prevent run-off, pooling, and flooding.
g. All artificial turf shall have a warranty that protects against color fading and a decrease in pile height. A minimum four-year manufacturer’s warranty is required for a “do it yourself” homeowner’s installation; and a minimum eight-year manufacturer’s warranty is required for an installation certified by the manufacturer.
h. Installation shall be done at a minimum to the manufacturer’s specifications, and include the following: removal of all sod and existing groundcover, a synthetic porous filter fabric shall be installed, compacted and porous decomposed crushed granite and/or road base material (at least three inches), all edges and seams of the artificial turf are to be anchored with nails and glue, all seams shall be nailed and glued—not sewn—and artificial turf shall be visually level with the grain pointing in a single direction.
i. Artificial Turf Maintenance. Artificial turf shall be maintained by the property owner in an effective manner which includes cleaning, brushing, debris removal; repairing of depressions and ruts to maintain a level visual surface; elimination of any odors, flat or matted areas, weeds, evasive roots, looseness at edges, seams; and the replacement of the artificial turf when maintenance or repair is unable to simulate a natural thriving, green, grass appearance.
Certain messages sent through this form may constitute a public record and be subject to disclosure under state law.
Communications sent via the Internet or through this Web page shall in no way be deemed to constitute legal notice to the City or any of its officers, agents, or employees, where notice to the City is required by any law, rule, regulation or contract.
Update Ticket/Add Comment
changing my landscape
If I change my landscaping to an artificial grass and no water usage, is any incentive by the city to help me out to pay. I am retired on a budget.
Ticket History
Update Ticket/Add Comment
On 6/20/22, Maria H. responded by Email:
This is in regards to your web based inquiry (Ticket ID 564973e4 and 56486728) asking if the City of Lathrop offers any incentive if the landscaping is changed to artificial grass. Unfortunately unlike some other bigger and more established cities, the City of Lathrop does not currently offer any incentive when changing your front yard landscaping to artificial grass or any other more water efficient/conserving landscaping.
Just a reminder, at least thirty-five percent (35%) of the front yard and street-side yard shall be landscaped consisting of living plant materials including, but not limited to, trees, shrubs, groundcover, natural turf, flowers, and vines. However, artificial turf may be placed in substitute for natural turf but shall meet the following standards:
a. Artificial turf shall be made from polypropylene, polyethylene, a blend of such fibers, or new industry standard that has very little to no known toxic substance on a permeable backing. Nylon-based or plastic grass blades are not permitted. The use of indoor/outdoor carpeting and artificial shrubs, flowers, trees, and vines instead of natural plantings is prohibited.
b. Artificial turf shall have a minimum blade length (pile height) of 1.25 inches or as determined by the community development director or designee.
c. An appropriate solid barrier device (i.e., concrete mow strip) is required to separate artificial turf from soil and live vegetation.
d. Artificial turf shall be lead free.
e. Artificial turf shall be trimmed to fit against all regular and irregular edges to resemble a natural look.
f. Artificial turf shall be designed to allow water to percolate through synthetic grass at a minimum drain rate of twenty-five (25) inches per hour (or an alternative rate as determined by the public works director) to an adequate drainage system installed underneath the artificial turf to prevent run-off, pooling, and flooding.
g. All artificial turf shall have a warranty that protects against color fading and a decrease in pile height. A minimum four-year manufacturer’s warranty is required for a “do it yourself” homeowner’s installation; and a minimum eight-year manufacturer’s warranty is required for an installation certified by the manufacturer.
h. Installation shall be done at a minimum to the manufacturer’s specifications, and include the following: removal of all sod and existing groundcover, a synthetic porous filter fabric shall be installed, compacted and porous decomposed crushed granite and/or road base material (at least three inches), all edges and seams of the artificial turf are to be anchored with nails and glue, all seams shall be nailed and glued—not sewn—and artificial turf shall be visually level with the grain pointing in a single direction.
i. Artificial Turf Maintenance. Artificial turf shall be maintained by the property owner in an effective manner which includes cleaning, brushing, debris removal; repairing of depressions and ruts to maintain a level visual surface; elimination of any odors, flat or matted areas, weeds, evasive roots, looseness at edges, seams; and the replacement of the artificial turf when maintenance or repair is unable to simulate a natural thriving, green, grass appearance.
Update Ticket/Add Comment
Citizen request/question created.
Disclosures
Certain messages sent through this form may constitute a public record and be subject to disclosure under state law.
Communications sent via the Internet or through this Web page shall in no way be deemed to constitute legal notice to the City or any of its officers, agents, or employees, where notice to the City is required by any law, rule, regulation or contract.