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Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance

Turner Court Green Infrastructure Demonstration Project in Hayward

Free Resources: WELO Tool Kit & Webinar 

About WELO

The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) is a statewide water conservation law for new and renovated landscapes. 

The ordinance applies to any single-family or multi-family residential, public, institutional or commercial project that requires a permit, plan check or design review from the local reviewing agency and meets one of these size thresholds: 

  • New construction projects with a total landscape area greater than 500 square feet
  • Rehabilitations of existing landscape with a total landscape area greater than 2,500 square feet

Some landscapes, such as arboretums and registered historical sites, are exempt from WELO. Check the ordinance for details

WELO sets minimum water efficiency requirements for landscapes. To go above and beyond the state ordinance, make your landscape a ReScape California Rated Landscape

Landscape Professionals: The Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance is enforced by cities, counties, and in some areas, water agencies. Before starting your project, check with the local reviewing agency for requirements and submittals specific to your region, which may be different than what's provided in StopWaste's WELO Tool Kit.

Compost-Climate Change Connection

Applying a layer of compost
StopWaste and Partners Fight Climate Change with Compost

Livermore, CA – A thin layer of compost applied to grasslands could help fight climate change by capturing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in the soil, recent research shows. 

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