Some cities force a lawn upon you

The Los Angeles Times reported a regional roundup that reflects some municipality's turf uber alles notions:

* Los Angeles: There are some landscaping rules, but they're "scattered all over the zoning codes," L.A. City Planning associate O'Brien said. Owners of single-family homes can pretty much do as they please; the city regulates properties with duplexes and larger residential dwellings, which have different rules. Historic Preservation Overlay Zones have their own rules governing landscaping.

Note, also, that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa recently signed an ordinance that doubles fines for residents who repeatedly violate the city's "drought buster" rules, including a ban on watering lawns between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For more information, go tocityplanning.lacity.org/.

* Long Beach: Residents are "encouraged" to dedicate no more than 50% of their frontyards to concrete, said Development Services Director Beck. Wood chips and gravel are permitted, up to 100% of frontyards. Rules are set by neighborhood associations; the city "doesn't strictly enforce landscaping regulations," he added. Drought-tolerant measures are encouraged and may soon be required. Go to www.longbeach.gov/plan/pb/zd/ ordin ances/default.asp.

* Glendale: Rules vary with the neighborhoods, most of which require that 40% of setback areas be fully landscaped (not all in one corner of the yard) and that the landscaped areas consist primarily of live plant material. Go to www.ci.glendale.ca.us.

* Burbank: No more than 45% of frontyard and street-facing side yards may be hardscape (concrete, brick, pavers, etc.). Go to www.ci.burbank.ca.us/De partments/deptsa.htm#cdd.

* Riverside: Frontyard landscaping is not regulated, other than requiring that the space be maintained at a quality at least equal to that of the rest of the neighborhood, and that varies by neighborhood. Go to riversideca.gov; click on "municipal code," then "zoning code."

* Irvine: Each of the city's 80 or so master-planned communities has a homeowners association, which decides the landscaping plan. Homeowners seeking a change to their yard must get association approval.

* Santa Barbara: Owners submit landscape plans to the city. Yards of single-family homes must be designed with no more than 20% of the landscaped area planted with grass or plants that are not drought-tolerant. Grass is not allowed on slopes with 20% or greater grades within landscaped areas. Landscaped areas not covered by grass, shrubs or succulents must be covered with mulch. Strict irrigation rules apply. More information is at www.santabarbaraca.gov/Gov ernment/Departments/ComDev/.