Ordinance Committee - September 29, 2026

The City of Santa Barbara Ordinance Committee met on September 29, 2026, to review a proposed Municipal Code amendment implementing California’s AB 1572 prohibition on watering non-functional lawns and a streamlined process for qualifying lawn replacements. Compliance deadlines are January 1, 2027, for public agencies; January 1, 2028, for commercial, industrial, and institutional properties; and January 1, 2029, for homeowners’ association common areas. Staff described an education-first, primarily complaint-based enforcement approach, objective design standards, and a water-wise plant palette. The city anticipates presenting the ordinance to the Council for introduction on November 10.

The committee discussed eligibility and design-review requirements, including historic-resource review, permeable-surface alternatives, food gardens, and planting suitable for parking areas. Existing rebates are based on the square footage of lawn removed, with a combined rebate of up to $5 per square foot for qualifying rain gardens. Staff said Environmental Incentives and RRM Design Group had supported development of the program; no new contract award or procurement action was presented. A motion to forward the recommendation to the full Council passed unanimously.