HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 2024-069RESOLUTION NO. 2024-069
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM
DESERT, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING ADMINISTRATIVE POLICY NO. PW-
001 TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF ARTIFICAL TURF/SYNTHETIC GRASS
IN PUBLIC RIGHTS-OF-WAY
WHEREAS, California Constitution Article XI, Section 7, enable the City of Palm
Desert (the “City”) to enact local planning and land use regulations; and
WHEREAS, the City currently does not regulate the design, installation or use of
artificial turf/synthetic grass within the City; and
WHEREAS, it is known to the City that certain types of artificial grass/synthetic turf
create impenetrable barriers that may prohibit or severely limit the absorption of ground
water, and contribute to the risk of overwhelming the capacity of the City’s s tormwater
drainage system; and
WHEREAS, numerous studies indicate that artificial turf/synthetic grass can have
a negative effect on the environment and pose certain health hazards such as creating
“heat islands”, decreasing biodiversity, creating impenetrable barriers for ground water,
releasing toxic chemicals, including those that are known to cause cancer, and creating
burden on local landfills as non-biodegradable materials; and
WHEREAS, the City desires to ensure its residents are adequately protected from
the health and safety impacts that unregulated artificial turf/synthetic grass may pose to
the City;
WHEREAS, the City desires to formalize a policy to prohibit the use of artificial
turf/synthetic grass in public rights of way; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has been presented with a policy in the form attached
to this Resolution as “Administrative Policy PW -001” and by this reference incorporated
herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Palm
Desert, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. That the foregoing Recitals are true and correct and are incorporated
herein by this reference.
SECTION 2. The City Manager is hereby authorized to establish and periodically
review and update Administrative Policy PW -001.
SECTION 3. The attached Administrative Policy PW -001 shall be added to the
City’s Administrative Procedures.
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ADOPTED ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2024.
KARINA QUINTANILLA
MAYOR
ATTEST:
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
I, Anthony J. Mejia, City Clerk of the City of Palm Desert, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2024-069 is a full, true, and correct copy, and was duly adopted at a
regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Palm Desert on September 26, 2024, by
the following vote:
AYES: HARNIK, KELLY, AND QUINTANILLA
NOES: NESTANDE AND TRUBEE
ABSENT: NONE
ABSTAIN: NONE
RECUSED: NONE
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the
City of Palm Desert, California, on ___________________.
ANTHONY J. MEJIA
CITY CLERK
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10/2/2024
Resolution No. 2024-069 Page 3
CITY OF PALM DESERT
ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES
Subject Artificial Turf/Synthetic Grass in Public
Rights-of-Way
Policy No. PW-001
Date Issued: September 26, 2024
Approved by Resolution 2024-069
Authored by Public Works Department
I. INTRODUCTION
In December 2016, Legislature enacted Senate Bill (SB) 676 prohibiting local jurisdictions
from enacting or enforcing any regulations that prohibit the installation of drought -tolerant
landscaping, synthetic grass, or artificial turf on residential property. In accordance with
Government Code Section 53087.7, the City has the authority to enact reasonable
restrictions on the type of artificial turf/synthetic grass that may be installed and the design
of its installation.
II. PURPOSE
The purpose is to protect and enhance the health, safety and general welfare of the City
in addition to protecting the water usage and water quality to be consistent with the state
and federal regulations and permits, including the Clean Water Act.
A. Eliminating the discharge of debris from artificial turf/synthetic grass products,
such as plastic blades, crumb rubber, nylon and other synthetic components,
into stormwater runoff;
B. Improve the absorption and retention of storm water through the use of natural
drought-tolerant landscaping using living plant material;
C. Eliminating solid waste generated by the disposal of synthetic grass and
artificial turf products;
D. Improving public health and safety by removing exposure to potential
environmental carcinogens found in artificial turf/synthetic grass products.
III. DEFINITIONS
A. “Artificial Turf” and “Synthetic Grass” is artificial or synthetic non-organic
material that simulates the appearance of organic sod, grass, or lawn ground
cover, and includes outdoor plastic carpeting. Artificial turf/synthetic grass does
not include painted natural organic grass or sod.
IV. GENERAL POLICY
The use and installation of artificial turf and synthetic grass landscaping material is
prohibited in City public rights-of-way. This includes but is not limited to medians,
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parkways, landscaped areas around public facilities, and city parks. This policy does not
prohibit the use of artificial turf/synthetic grass for residential and private properties. The
City may modify the policy from time to time as it may deem necessary or as required by
law.
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