2023-14 Code Amendment - Artificial Turf -Synthetic GrassORDINANCE NO. 2023-14
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF NORTH
PALM BEACH, FLORIDA, AMENDING ARTICLE III, "DISTRICT
REGULATIONS," OF APPENDIX C (CHAPTER 45) OF THE VILLAGE CODE
OF ORDINANCES BY ADOPTING A NEW SECTION 45-29, "ARTIFICIAL
TURPSYNTHETIC GRASS;" PROVIDING FOR PERMITTED LOCATIONS;
PROVIDING FOR MATERIAL STANDARDS AND SPECIFICATIONS;
PROVIDING REGULATIONS FOR INSTALLATION, MAINTENANCE AND
REPAIR; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR
SEVERABILITY; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICTS; AND PROVIDING FOR AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, while Section 45-85 of the Village Code prohibits the use of artificial plants or
vegetation to meet the mandated landscaping requirements set forth in Article VIII, "Landscaping,"
of Appendix C (Chapter 45), the provisions of Article VIII are inapplicable to the construction,
renovation, or replacement of single-family or two-family dwellings; and
WHEREAS, based on a recommendation from the Ad Hoc Committee, the Village wishes to allow
the installation of artificial turf on lots occupied by single-family and two-family dwellings subject
to the adoption of regulations governing: minimum material standards; installation, maintenance, and
repair; permitted locations; and existing artificial turf; and
WHEREAS, on March 7, 2023 and May 2, 2023, the Planning Commission, sitting as the Local
Planning Agency, conducted public hearings to review this Ordinance and provided a
recommendation to the Village Council; and
WHEREAS, having considered the recommendation of the Planning Commission and conducted all
required advertised public hearings, the Village Council determines that the adoption of this
Ordinance is in the interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the Village of North
Palm Beach.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
NORTH PALM BEACH, FLORIDA as follows:
Section 1. The foregoing "Whereas" clauses are hereby ratified and incorporated herein.
Section 2. The Village Council hereby amends Article III, "District Regulations," of Appendix
C (Chapter 45) of the Village Code of Ordinances by adopting a new Section 45-29 to read as follows
(additional language is underlined):
Sec. 45-29. Artificial turf/synthetic grass.
O Locations permitted.
( Artificial turf (also referred to as synthetic ,grass) shall only be
�-' permitted on lots improved with a single-family or two-family
dwelling.
Q Artificial turf is limited to rear and side yards.
M Artificial turf shall not be permitted in the front yard or in any area
visible from a public right-of-wU (even if in the rear or side yard)
unless it is placed in between paver blocks or similar materials in a
manner where the area for the artificial turf does not exceed four (4)
inches in width and it does not exceed fifty (50) percent of the total area
using the paver blocks or similar materials Screening as approved by
the community development department, may be used in order to
comply with visibility requirement.
No artificial turf shall be placed in any public right-of-way.
Minimum material standards. All artificial turf shall comply with the
following minimum standards:
Artificial turf shall consist of green lifelike individual blades of grass
that emulate natural turf in look and color, as approved by the Village
building official, and shall have a minimum pile height of one and one-
half (1-1 /2) inches, unless otherwise approved by the Village building
official, and shall have a minimum tufted weight of fifty-six (56)
ounces per square yard. Putting greens shall be permitted with a
minimum pile height of one-quarter (1/4) inch; however, putting_greens
shall be located in the rear yard only, shall not count toward the
minimum landscaped area as set forth in subsection (e) below and shall
require submission of a drainage plan along with the building ermit
application.
Artificial turf installations shall have a minimum permeability of thirty
(30) inches per hour per square yard.
All artificial turf shall have a minimum fifteen (15) year manufacturer's
warranty that protects against color fading and a decrease in pile height
Artificial turf shall be lead-free.
All materials must include test documentation which declares that the
artificial turf yarn and backing materials are disposable under normal
conditions, at any U.S. landfill station (Total Content Leach Protocol
(TCLP) test
The use of indoor or outdoor carpeting as a replacement for artificial
turf or natural turf shall be prohibited.
Infill materials for artificial turf are limited to organic materials and
sand with a non-toxic coating.
Page 2 of 4
(c) Installation, maintenance, and repair.
All artificial turf shall, at a minimum, be installed accordingto o the
manufacturers specifications.
All artificial turf installations shall be anchored to ensure that the turf
withstands 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.
If artificial turf is planned to be installed immediately adjacent to a
seawall, the artificial turf shall be pinned or staked behind the seawall.
No artificial turf or installation mechanism shall be attached directly to
or placed on a seawall or seawall cap.
Proper drainage shall be provided for all artificial turf installations to
prevent excess runoff or the pooling of water.
Artificial turf shall be visually level, with therg ain pointing in a single
direction.
An appropriate barrier device (e.g., concrete mow strip, bender board,
brick pavers, river rock, landscaping) is required to separate artificial
turf from soil and live vegetation.
0 Precautions for installation around existing trees shall be monitored and
may be restricted to ensure tree roots are not damaged with the
installation of the base material and that the overall health of the tree
will not be compromised.
j All artificial turf shall be maintained in a green, fadeless condition free
of dirt, mud, stains, weeds, debris, tears, holes, and impressions.
Maintenance shall include, but not be limited to cleaning, brushing and
debris removal; repairing of depressions and ruts to maintain a visually -
level surface; elimination of any odors, flat or matted areas, weeds, and
evasive roots; and all edges of the artificial turf shall not be loose and
must be maintained with appropriate edging or stakes.
10 All artificial turf must be replaced if it falls into disrepair with fading
or holes or loose areas. Replacement and/or repairs shall be performed
with like for like materials from the same manufacturer, if possible, and
done so in a manner that results in a repair that blends in with the
existing artificial turf.
11 An owner or applicant shall obtain a building permit from the
community development department prior to the installation of any
artificial turf.
Page 3 of 4
12 The village or other public entity or utility company may remove
artificial turf located within an easement at any time for any reason,
including, but not limited to, providing underground access for utility
work. The prosy owner shall bear and pay any and all costs to
replace or reinstall the artificial turf.
(d) Existing artificial turf For those properties where artificial turf is
currently installed and the artificial turf does not meet the requirements of this section,
full compliance shall be required when the existing artificial turf is replaced
(e) Pervious area. Artificial turf installed in compliance with the
requirements of this section shall be considered as one hundred percent 100%)
pervious area and shall count toward the required minimum landscaped area
Section 3. The provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of the
Village of North Palm Beach, Florida.
Section 4. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, phrase, or word of this Ordinance is for
any reason held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unconstitutional, inoperative, or void, such
holding. shall not affect the remainder of the Ordinance.
Section 5. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this Ordinance are hereby
repealed to the extent of such conflict.
Section 6. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
PLACED ON FIRST READING THIS 22ND DAY OF JUNE 2023.
PLACED ON SECOND, FINAL READING AND PASSED THIS 24TH DAY OF AUGUST 2023.
ca
NoR Th(VillagQRIL)A
�
a
DE Y VILLAGE CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY:
O
VILLAGE ATTORNEY
Page 4 of 4