Herriman City’s Water Efficiency Standards for residential landscapes are based on Localscapes principles and have been modified as necessary to meet City ordinance requirements.

1. Purpose 

The purpose of these Water Efficiency Standards is to conserve the public's water resources by establishing water conservation standards for indoor plumbing fixtures and outdoor landscaping. 

2. Applicability 

The standards contained herein shall be required for all developer/contractor installed residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial construction, as applicable. The Outdoor Landscaping Standards shall also be required for new landscaping construction installed by homeowners. 

3. Definitions 

1. “Activity Zones” means portions of the landscape designed for recreation or function, such as storage areas, fire pits, vegetable gardens, and playgrounds. 
   
2. “Active Recreation Areas” means areas of the landscape dedicated to active play where Lawn may be used as the playing surface (ex. sports fields and play areas). 
   
3. “Central Open Shape” means an unobstructed area that functions as the focal point of Localscapes and is designed in a shape that is geometric in nature. 
   
4. “Gathering Areas” means portions of the landscape that are dedicated to congregating, such as patios, gazebos, decks, and other seating areas. 
   
5. “Hardscape” means durable landscape materials, such as concrete, wood, pavers, stone, or compacted inorganic mulch. 
   
6. “Lawn” means ground that is covered with grass or turf that is regularly mowed. 
   
7. “Localscapes®” means a landscaping approach designed to create locally adapted and sustainable landscapes through a basic 5-step approach (central open shape, gathering areas, activity zones, connecting pathways, and planting beds). 
   
8. “Mulch” means any material such as rock, bark, compost, wood chips or other materials left loose and applied to the soil. 
   
9. “Park Strip” means a typically narrow landscaped area located between the back-of- curb and sidewalk. 
   
10. “Paths” means designed routes between landscape areas and features. 
    
11. “Planting Bed” means areas of the landscape that consist of plants, such as trees, ornamental grasses, shrubs, perennials, and other regionally appropriate plants. 
    
12. “Total Landscaped Area” means improved areas of the property that incorporate all of the completed features of the landscape. The landscape area does not include footprints of buildings or structures, sidewalks, driveways, and other non-irrigated areas intentionally left undeveloped. 
    

4. Indoor Fixture Requirements 

It is recommended and encouraged, but not mandated, that all new and future construction and future additions, remodels, or refurbishments install plumbing fixtures that have the WaterSense label, including: lavatory faucets, shower heads, sink faucets, water closets (tank and flushometer-valve toilets), and urinals, to the extent Utah law allows municipalities or local districts to require these fixtures. 

5. Outdoor Landscaping Standards 

All new and rehabilitated landscaping for public agency projects, private development projects, developer-installed landscaping in multi-family and single-family residential projects within the front and side yards, and homeowner provided landscape improvements within the front and side yards of single and two-family dwellings shall comply with the landscaping standards set forth in Section 6 below. It is recommended and encouraged, but not mandated, that rear yard landscape improvements of single and two-family dwellings comply with these same standards. 

6. Landscaping Requirements 

1. All irrigation shall be appropriate for the designated plant material to achieve the highest water efficiency. Drip irrigation or bubblers shall be used except in Lawn areas. Drip irrigation systems shall be equipped with a pressure regulator, filter, flush- end assembly, and any other appropriate components. 
   
2. Each irrigation valve shall irrigate landscaping with similar site, slope and soil conditions, and plant materials with similar watering needs. Lawn and Planting Beds shall be irrigated on separate irrigation valves. In addition, drip emitters and sprinklers shall be placed on separate irrigation valves. 
   
3. Landscaped areas shall be provided with a WaterSense labeled smart irrigation controller which automatically adjusts the frequency and/or duration of irrigation events in response to changing weather conditions. All controllers shall be equipped with automatic rain delay or rain shut-off capabilities. 
   
4. At least 3-4 inches of Mulch, permeable to air and water, shall be used in Planting Beds to control weeds and improve the appearance of the landscaping. 
   
5. At maturity, landscapes are recommended to have enough plant material (perennials and shrubs) to create at least 50% living plant cover at maturity at the ground plane, not including tree canopies. 
   
6. Lawn shall not be installed in Park Strips, Paths, or on slopes greater than 25% or 4:1 grade and be less than 8 feet wide at its narrowest point. To the extent reasonably practicable, Lawn shall be free from obstructions (trees, signs, posts, valve boxes, etc.). 
   
7. In residential landscapes, the landscaping shall adhere to the following Localscapes requirements and shall be properly labeled on the landscape plan submitted to the City for review: 
   
1. If size permits, the landscaped areas of the front yard and back yard shall include a designed Central Open Shape created by using Lawn, Hardscape, groundcover, gravel, or Mulch. 
2. Gathering Areas shall be constructed of Hardscape and placed outside of the Central Open Shape. In a landscape without Lawn, Gathering Areas may function as the Central Open Shape. 
3. Activity Zones shall be located outside of the Central Open Shape and shall be surfaced with materials other than Lawn. 
4. Paths shall be made with materials that do not include Lawn, such as Hardscape, Mulch, or other groundcover. 
5. Lawn areas shall not exceed the greater of 250 square feet, or 35% of the Total Landscaped Area. 
6. Small residential lots, where the Total Landscaped Area is less than 250 square feet, and where the front yard dimensions cannot accommodate the minimum 8 feet wide Lawn area requirement of the Landscaping Requirements in section F, are exempt from the 8 feet minimum width Lawn area requirement. 
8. In commercial, industrial, institutional, and multi-family development common area landscapes, Lawn areas shall not exceed 20% of the Total Landscaped Area, outside of Active Recreation Areas. 
   
9. Certain special purpose landscape areas (e.g. stormwater management areas, etc.) may receive exceptions from the slope limitations and other elements of the Landscaping Requirements (see Paragraph F, above). Applications to receive exceptions are to be considered on a case-by-case basis. 
   
10. These outdoor standards are not intended to be in conflict with other landscaping requirements as defined by Utah law, including stormwater retention requirements and low-impact development guidelines. Notwithstanding these outdoor standards, whenever any requirement may be in conflict with Utah law, such conflicting requirements shall not apply.