UtahUtah law requires water wise landscaping at new state facilities
Utah law sets landscaping rules for state facilities built or reconstructed on or after May 6, 2026, including limits on turf and water wise planting.
What it does
Covered state facilities may not have more than the allowed amount of turf that is not functional turf. The Division of Water Resources may grant an exception when an agency's purpose requires more.
Covered state facilities must use water wise landscaping, with canopy or functional turf covering at least half their grounds. Local ordinances can limit how much canopy or functional turf is allowed.
State agencies must manage outdoor water use at state facilities, including repairing leaks and checking irrigation systems each year. Daytime overhead spray watering is restricted, with exceptions for the Division's approval.
Argument forWater wise planting and less nonfunctional turf could help state agencies reduce irrigation needs at their facilities.
Argument againstLimits on nonfunctional turf and local rules could leave agencies with fewer landscaping choices at some state facilities.
More detail
A state agency may not have more than the allowed amount of turf that is not functional turf at a covered facility. This applies to state agencies that own or occupy state government facilities, including higher education institutions, built or reconstructed on or after May 6, 2026. The limit is the lesser of 20% of the facility grounds or the share allowed by local ordinance, and this turf is not allowed in a park strip. The Division of Water Resources may exempt a facility if the agency's purpose requires more turf that is not functional turf. The rule applies to facilities built or reconstructed on or after May 6, 2026.
A state agency must use water wise landscaping at covered facilities and ensure canopy or functional turf covers at least half the grounds. This applies to state agencies that own or occupy state government facilities built or reconstructed on or after May 6, 2026. The amount of canopy or functional turf may not exceed what local ordinance allows. Water wise landscaping includes plants suited to local conditions, efficient irrigation, and design features that reduce irrigation needs or nonfunctional turf. This requirement applies to facilities built or reconstructed on or after May 6, 2026.
State agencies must follow water saving practices at state government facilities, including repairing leaks and reviewing irrigation systems each year. These duties apply to state agencies at state government facilities. Agencies may not use overhead spray irrigation between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. unless the Division allows it. During rain and wind, agencies must manually shut off overhead spray systems that do not have activated weather or soil based monitoring technology. The text gives no separate start date for these practices.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 24Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 3Senate/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 3Senate/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Feb 19Senate/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Feb 19Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Feb 13Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Feb 13Bill Received from Senate for EnrollingMinor
- Feb 12Senate/ signed by President/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Feb 12Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Feb 11House/ to Senate
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 11House/ signed by Speaker/ returned to SenateMajor
- Feb 11House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 11House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 6House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 6House/ committee report favorable [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 5House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Feb 2House Comm - Not Considered [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]
- Jan 30House/ to standing committee [House Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment Committee]Minor
- Jan 28House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 27House/ received from SenateMinor
- Jan 27Senate/ to House
- Jan 21Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Jan 21Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Jan 20Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Jan 20Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 12Senate/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 8LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for SB0046
- Jan 8LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for SB0046
- Jan 7Senate/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- 2025
- Dec 22LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for SB0046
- Dec 22LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for SB0046
- Dec 22Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 22Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Environment & Energy