Utah’s changing climate and growing water concerns are reshaping what’s allowed in our yards. As the state faces severe drought conditions year after year, officials are taking a hard look at residential outdoor spaces.
Many common yard features we’ve taken for granted might soon be regulated or even banned to conserve precious resources.
1. Lush Green Lawns
Traditional grass lawns guzzle enormous amounts of water in Utah’s desert climate. The average lawn needs thousands of gallons monthly just to stay green.
Many cities are already offering rebates to remove turf, and mandatory restrictions could follow. Some municipalities are discussing limiting lawn sizes to just 35% of yard space or less, with violators facing hefty fines.
2. Ornamental Water Fountains
Decorative water features might seem harmless, but they continuously lose water through evaporation – a serious problem in Utah’s dry climate.
Several counties are drafting ordinances to restrict or outright ban non-circulating water features. Homeowners with existing fountains may soon need special permits or be required to convert them to closed systems with minimal water loss.
3. Non-Native Plant Species
Exotic plants often demand excessive water and care to survive Utah’s harsh conditions. Many imported species can’t handle the temperature extremes without constant attention.
Local governments are creating approved plant lists featuring native species adapted to local conditions. Garden centers may soon face restrictions on selling certain water-intensive ornamentals that can’t survive without regular irrigation.
4. Open Swimming Pools
Backyard pools lose thousands of gallons annually through evaporation in Utah’s arid climate. An uncovered pool can waste up to 30,000 gallons yearly in water loss alone.
New regulations may require all residential pools to have mandatory covers when not in use. Some proposals go further, suggesting limits on new pool construction or requiring water recycling systems for filtration rather than traditional backwashing methods.
5. Artificial Water Features
Backyard ponds and streams create peaceful ambiance but waste substantial water through evaporation and leakage. Even well-designed systems can lose inches weekly during hot summer months.
Proposed regulations would require permits for any artificial water feature exceeding specific dimensions. Future rules might mandate recirculating pumps, depth restrictions, or even phase out certain types of water features entirely in severe drought-prone communities.
6. Automatic Sprinkler Systems
Outdated sprinkler systems waste tremendous amounts of water through evaporation, overspray, and inefficient scheduling. Many systems run regardless of weather conditions, watering even during rainstorms.
New regulations may mandate smart controllers that adjust based on weather data and soil moisture. Some cities are already limiting watering to specific days and times, with future rules potentially requiring moisture sensors and efficiency audits for all irrigation systems.
7. Large Shade Trees
Majestic non-native trees provide wonderful shade but often demand excessive water to survive Utah’s climate. Species like weeping willows can consume 100+ gallons daily during summer months.
Officials are developing lists of prohibited high-water-use trees for new plantings. Homeowners with existing water-intensive trees might face watering restrictions or incentives to replace them with drought-adapted varieties that provide similar benefits with minimal irrigation.
8. Extensive Paved Areas
Large concrete patios and driveways prevent natural water absorption and contribute to runoff problems. Water that should replenish groundwater instead flows into storm drains, carrying pollutants.
New regulations may limit the percentage of impermeable surfaces allowed in residential yards. Homeowners might soon need to incorporate permeable pavers or gravel sections in driveways and patios to allow rainwater to naturally filter into the ground.
9. Vegetable Gardens Without Drip Irrigation
Traditional row gardening with overhead watering wastes significant amounts of water through evaporation and runoff. Up to 50% of water from sprinklers never reaches plant roots.
Future regulations might mandate water-efficient irrigation methods for all vegetable gardens. Drip systems, which deliver water directly to plant roots, could become mandatory, along with mulching requirements to retain soil moisture and reduce water needs.
10. Artificial Turf Without Permits
While artificial grass saves water, it creates other environmental concerns including heat islands and microplastic pollution. On hot days, synthetic turf can reach temperatures 40-60 degrees hotter than natural surfaces.
New regulations may require permits for artificial turf installation with specific requirements for permeability, cooling technologies, and environmental impact assessments. Some municipalities are considering restrictions on certain types of synthetic materials or requiring partial natural landscaping.