What the Rules and Regulations Say
9.4.4. Drought resistant landscaping – Changing your front yard to drought resistant landscape requires ACC approval. “Drought resistant landscaping” means the use of any noninvasive vegetation adapted to arid or dry conditions, stone, or landscaping rock (RCW 64.38.057). Northwest river rock (gray) is the standard. Early adopters of this landscaping change should plan on a four-week ACC approval period, as the placement and aesthetic appearance guidelines will be developed from early adopters.
Resources
Natural Yard Care (Saving Water Partnership)
Be RainWIse (King County, Washington)
How to Get Rid of Your Lawn (Montgomery County, Maryland)
L.A. Times, July 7, 2022: How to tear out your lawn by yourself (Jeanette Marantos)
About RainScapes (Montgomery County, Maryland)
Recommendations for Residential Xeriscape for Montrose, Colorado
Articles
Washington Post, April 7, 2023: I’m no genius with genuses, but your garden is killing the Earth (Dana Milbank)
Washington Post, Aug 24, 2022: There’s a water crisis. Why do we still have lawns? (Dan Zak)
N.Y. Times, Aug. 9, 2022: How to fall out of love with your lawn
N.Y. Times, May 18, 2020: America’s Killer Lawns (Margaret Renkl)
N.Y. Times, April 15, 2019: To Nurture Nature, Neglect Your Lawn (Margaret Renkl)