Rebates Make Turf Lawns Grow in Popularity

Turf wars are on.

Some cities welcome artificial turf; others don’t allow it in front yards.

Past products were known to get too hot to walk on.

Fillmore used to ban artificial turf on front lawns, but city leaders have asked staff to create a new ordinance for front lawns.

Other cities, including Santa Barbara, offer rebates.

Madeline Ward, the acting water conservation coordinator, said you can receive up to $1,000 for artificial or
synthetic turf if you have someone inspect your current lawn first.

Raul Topete, the branch manager at Ewing Irrigation in Santa Barbara, said the artificial turf or synthetic turf is more popular than ever because the drought.

He doesn’t call it Astroturf. Topete said that’s a brand.

If it rains, he said, the turf Ewing Irrigation sells allows water to permeate and get into the soil.

Homeowners including Mia Kessler said dogs love it. She said people often stop by and ask where she got her green grass.

For more information about the rebates, call (805) 893-3485.