1. (1)(a) Except as otherwise determined by the division under Subsection (2), water efficient landscaping, for purposes of Sections R653-11-7 and R653-11-8, is a mixture of inorganic and organic ground cover that:

   1. (i) controls the invasion of common weeds and grasses;

      1. (ii) includes perennial, water efficient plants, shrubs, or trees;
      2. (iii) the canopy of water efficient plants and shrubs cover 50% or more of the project at maturity, or roughly three plants per 100 square feet, whichever is greater. One out of every three plants used to fulfill this requirement may be a shade tree;

      3. (iv) has a drip irrigation system that:

         1. (A) replaces the existing irrigation system servicing the project area;
         2. (B) minimizes evapotranspiration losses; and
         3. (C) maintains the water efficient plants, shrubs, and trees in the project area in a healthy state; and
         4. (D) has a filter to prevent emitter clogging and a pressure regulator to maintain uniform flow rates suitable for irrigation longevity; and
      4. (v) is officially approved by the division, its contractors, or a district.
   2. (b) All treatment locations in the project area, not otherwise covered in brick, or stone shall be covered in 2-4 inches of permeable gravel, rock, bark, compost mulch, or similar material to control weeds and improve the appearance of the landscaping.

   3. (c) Water efficient landscaping may include permeable:

      1. (i) weed barrier fabric; and
      2. (ii) configurations of pavers, brick, stone, and similar hard surfaced materials, provided the project area satisfies the 50% plant and shrub cover requirement with the treated area counted as contributing nothing toward that cover.

   4. (d) Water efficient landscaping does not include:

      1. (i) a swimming pool, pond, fountain, waterfall, rivulet, or similar above ground landscape water feature;
      2. (ii) concrete or artificial turf; and
      3. (iii) a project area configuration that leaves adjacent strips of lawn less than eight feet in width.

2. (2) The division may approve a district's request to use or partially use its program guidelines definition of "water efficient landscaping" in lieu of the definition in Subsection (1), if the division determines that application of the program guidelines' definition will:

   1. (a) conserve as much or more water as the definition in Subsection (1);
   2. (b) satisfy environmental needs; and
   3. (c) further the water conservation objectives in Section 73-10-37.

KEY: water conservation measures

Date of Last Change: May 26, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 63A-5b-1108; 73-10-37