In April 2009, council members, with the exception of Broadwater, approved the use of artificial turf for single-family homes.

Senior Planner Lee Marino said staff members, since that ordinance passed, received inquiries from apartment owners about installing fake grass on their properties. However, Marino said he doesn’t know of any residents who installed artificial turf after the council passed the earlier ordinance in
April 2009.

Residents are required to get approval from planning officials to make sure that they have satisfied several conditions before installing the turf.

The conditions that apply to single-family homes will also apply to the commercial, industrial and multi-family properties. The turf must have a minimum eight-year “no fade” warranty and should be installed by a licensed professional. The yard must also incorporate some live plants in addition to the artificial turf.

The property owners will also be required to submit three sets of detailed landscape and irrigation plans to the city’s Planning Division for review and approval before having the artificial turf installed.

Source: www.ocregister.com