1 / 2

Example of xeriscaping with indigenous plants allowed by the new Orem city ordinance amendment. Courtesy photo.

2 / 2

Xeriscaping ideas from the Orem planning division. This is an example of what residents will be able to do with the new ordinance amendment. Courtesy photo. 

❮ ❯

An Orem ordinance that mandates that 70% of front yards is grass is receiving a proposed amendment change to 50%.

The proposed amendment comes as some residents are feeling the water pinch with the increase in their water bills, and Orem is hoping to give residents some leeway on how to conserve water.

While many residents are unaware that the landscaping code exists in Orem, it is part of the city code — City Code 22-14-13.

According to Jason Bench, planning division manager, the city has talked a lot about water conservation but hasn’t provided a mechanism to landscape with conservation in mind.

“The citizens are really pushing for this,” Bench said. “We want them to be water wise; this is still considered a desert.”

Bench said city staff has worked hard to make sure residents can benefit from xeriscaping possibilities that will still keep the aesthetics of the community. There are several older neighborhoods where residents live on tight budgets and could benefit from the changes and level of water use.

In making changes to the code, the city is also providing a list of native drought-tolerant species of trees, shrubs, flowering perennials and grasses that are acceptable for front yard xeriscaping.

The new changes would exclude rear yards and non-street side yards from regulation, stating that those areas “may be landscaped at the discretion of the property owner.”

Front and street side yards must meet city code requirements.

The new wording says that regulation includes, “50% of some kind of combination of grass, shrubs, trees, flowers, vines or other living plants (excluding weeds).”

It continues that use of decorative rocks, boulders and gravel is only permitted to the extent that such material is part of a deliberate landscaping plan and not the result of the natural state of the land or neglect of the landscaping.

Artificial turf, if it fits city requirements may be used as well. Those requirements for turf are detailed in the code, and they are expected to be of high quality.

“This is the result of constructive conversation between residents and our planning division,” said Steven Downs, city spokesman. “In the end, this ordinance provides additional options for our residents.”

Bench said the city is also encouraging residents to use drip irrigation systems in their landscaping. These systems are more water-friendly for homes.

Bench will bring the ordinance amendment forward during the Orem City Council meeting on May 14.