Beverly Hills Bans Synthetic Turf in Front Yards

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Beverly Hills' new landscaping ordinance encourages natural alternatives to synthetic turf.

News Summary

The Beverly Hills Planning Commission unanimously voted to ban the installation of synthetic turf in front yards, marking a significant step toward environmental sustainability. The ordinance aims to phase out all existing synthetic lawns over 15 years, allowing for discussions around public feedback and homeowner appeals. While synthetic turf is prohibited in front yards, it can still be used in side and backyards, reflecting a commitment to natural landscaping and water conservation efforts.

Beverly Hills – On May 22, the Beverly Hills Planning Commission took a significant step towards environmental sustainability by adopting a resolution to ban the installation of synthetic turf in front yards. The decision, which passed with a unanimous 3-0 vote, signals the city’s commitment to promoting natural landscaping and water conservation efforts.

The ordinance aims to phase out all existing synthetic lawns over the next 15 years. Homeowners with synthetic turf in their front yards will have a designated timeframe to remove it, beginning from the effective date of the ordinance. While the current resolution prohibits synthetic turf in front yards, it still allows for its use in side yards and backyards, enabling homeowners to retain some artificial grass on their properties.

The ordinance will undergo a final vote by the City Council before being officially adopted. The decision by the Planning Commission was led by Commissioners Lou Milkowski, Gary Ross, and Vice Chair Jeff Wolfe, while Chair Terri Kaplan and Commissioner Myra Demeter were absent during the vote.

Commissioner Gary Ross highlighted the importance of balancing aesthetic values with sustainability and conservation interests in the community. The resolution is part of broader initiatives to encourage California-friendly landscaping, which encompasses native and drought-tolerant plants, aligning with the state’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Prior to the year 2015, Beverly Hills had a ban on synthetic turf in front yards, but this was reversed to comply with state law. That law allowed homeowners to install synthetic turf in landscaped areas covering no more than 70% of their yards. However, recent legislation, specifically Senate Bill 676 passed in 2024, has restored local authority, enabling cities to regulate synthetic turf while ensuring that bans on natural drought-tolerant landscaping are prohibited.

The resolution received mixed public feedback during discussions held by the commission, with two opposing comments and one in support of the ordinance. Representatives from the synthetic turf industry presented arguments emphasizing its potential water conservation benefits. Myung-Soo Seok, representing a labor union for synthetic turf installers, expressed concerns that the ban is driven more by aesthetic preferences rather than environmental necessities.

Additionally, Jessica Flagg from TenCate Grass supported the efficacy of synthetic turf for environmental purposes, urging the commission to consider safety standards for turf materials and suggesting that setting environmental safety criteria would be a more constructive approach than an outright ban.

Conversely, advocates for the ordinance, such as Diane Wolke from Safe Healthy Playing Fields, supported the resolution while also suggesting further restrictions against synthetic turf in all residential yards due to assorted health and environmental concerns. The ongoing discussions will focus on gathering more public feedback on synthetic turf regulations to shape the future of landscaping in Beverly Hills.

As part of the city’s efforts to facilitate a smoother transition for homeowners, the ordinance allows for appeals to be made on a case-by-case basis, with decisions resting with the City Council. This approach is expected to provide some flexibility and consideration for homeowners with unique circumstances regarding their landscaping choices.

The Planning Commission’s vote underscores a shift back to the city’s previous stance on landscaping, emphasizing a move towards more sustainable practices. As the discussions continue, the city seeks to enhance public awareness and involvement regarding environmental initiatives, particularly those affecting home aesthetics and ecological impact.