7-2-127. ARTIFICIAL TURF.
Artificial turf may be used as Landscaping upon issuance of a permit from the Community Development Department if it complies with all the following standards:
(1) Artificial turf shall be at least 20 feet from where lawn is used.
(2) Artificial turf shall consist of green lifelike individual blades of grass that emulate natural turf in look and color, have a minimum pile height of one and one-half inches, and have a minimum face weight of 50 ounces per square yard. The minimum pile height for high traffic areas such as playgrounds may be reduced to one and one-quarter inches.
(3) Artificial turf shall have a minimum eight-year manufacturer’s warranty protecting against color fading and decrease in pile height. The use of indoor or outdoor plastic or nylon carpeting shall be prohibited.
(4) Artificial turf shall be properly anchored to ensure that the turf will withstand the effects of wind. All seams shall be nailed and glued, not sewn, and edges shall be trimmed to fit against all regular and irregular edges to resemble a natural look.
(5) Artificial turf shall not be installed over grass or other plants. Artificial turf shall also not be installed over dirt that is not covered by a minimum two-inch sub-base layer of aggregate, such as compacted gravel or crushed stone or a similar application designed specifically for artificial turf sub-base. Proper grading, compaction, and drainage shall be provided for all artificial turf installations to prevent excess runoff or pooling of water and artificial turf installations shall have a minimum permeability of 30 inches per hour per square yard.
(6) Artificial turf shall be visually level, with the grain pointing in a single direction.
(7) A solid barrier device such as a concrete mow strip, sidewalk, driveway, or bender board shall be required to separate artificial turf from planters, live vegetation, and property boundaries.
(8) Where artificial turf is installed adjacent to new trees or new shrubs, a minimum two-foot separation between the artificial turf and the tree trunks and shrubs shall be maintained to allow for plant growth.
(9) Artificial turf shall be cleaned regularly and maintained in an appropriate and neat manner. It shall be replaced if it is worn, uneven, discolored, or damaged.