Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

Background

In September 2009, the State adopted the Water Conservation in Landscaping Act of 2006 (AB 1881) in an effort to protect the State’s limited water resources and increase water conservation in landscaping. In response to AB 1881, the Department of Water Resources adopted the State’s Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). In July 2015, the MWELO Ordinance was updated by Governor Jerry Brown to further promote water conservation efforts and increase landscape irrigation efficiency. The MWELO reduces landscape-related water use by promoting water-efficient landscapes, limiting turf, preventing waste water, and incentivizing the use of graywater and recycled water in new construction and rehabilitated projects.

Brea's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

In order to comply with the State updates, the Municipal Water District of Orange County and the Association of California Cities, formed a stakeholder working group that developed a model regional ordinance that minimized the complexity and cost of compliance and provides consistency between local jurisdictions. 

On December 15, 2015, the City of Brea adopted Ordinance 1179 based on the model regional ordinance.

Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance 1179 (12-15-2015)

Water Efficient Landscape Guidelines

Garden

Landscape Project Applicability

The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance and these Guidelines apply to all of the following landscape projects:

  • New landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet, requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review;
  • Rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet, requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review.