STAFF REPORT
City of Lancaster
NB 1
1/27/2026
TN
Date: January 27, 2026
To: Mayor Parris and City Council Members
From: Patti Garibay, Director - Community Development
Nicole Jones, Senior Analyst – Community Development
Subject: Adoption and Funding of the YardSmart Lancaster Program Recommendation:
1. Approve the establishment and initial General Fund allocation for the YardSmart Lancaster Program, a citywide beautification and water-conservation initiative designed to assist property owners in converting front-yard turf into drought-tolerant, low-maintenance landscaping.
2. Authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to authorize and sign all documents related to the program.
G.C. Section 84308: No
Fiscal Impact:
$100,000 from the General Fund for Fiscal Year 2026 to launch YardSmart Lancaster. Funding should be allocated into 10120000.5656.
Background:
YardSmart Lancaster is a City-funded beautification and water-conservation initiative created to support Lancaster’s sustainability, water-efficiency, and neighborhood revitalization goals. The program provides direct grants to property owners to replace water-intensive turf with drought- tolerant landscapes, improving curb appeal while encouraging voluntary compliance with City landscaping and property maintenance standards. The program is designed to be proactive rather than punitive, offering financial and technical assistance to help bring visible properties into compliance while enhancing neighborhood aesthetics.
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Program Design
The YardSmart Lancaster Program provides grants of up to $15,000 per property for eligible landscape improvements, including turf removal, drought-tolerant planting, irrigation upgrades, decorative rock and mulch, and drainage correction.
The program is targeted to the City’s Inner Core area—Avenue I to Avenue L and 20th Street East to 30th Street West—where visible landscape improvements will have the greatest community impact.
Applications will be reviewed by the Program Review Committee (PRC) and funded on a first- come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.
Community Benefits
The program is expected to:
Replace over 12,000 square feet of turf annually (approximately 16–20 homes). Reduce water use by 30–50% per participating property. Improve neighborhood appearance and public perception in high-visibility corridors. Provide equitable access to beautification resources across neighborhoods.
Partnership Opportunities
The program also allows for private and corporate sponsorships to expand program reach:
Community Partner – $5,000
Neighborhood Sponsor – $10,000
Beautification Champion – $25,000+
These partnerships provide additional resources without increasing General Fund exposure.
With an average grant of approximately $12,000 per property, the requested funding will allow the City to assist approximately 8–10 properties during the first year, with priority given to the Inner Core beautification area.
The program is structured to leverage:
Private sponsorships, and
Future budget allocations to expand the number of participating households over time without requiring a permanent ongoing General Fund commitment.
No additional staffing is required, as the program will be administered through existing Community Development’s Beautification staff using the Program Review Committee (PRC).
YardSmart Lancaster offers a cost-effective, highly visible way to improve neighborhood appearance, reduce water consumption, and support voluntary code compliance while advancing the City’s Beautification and Sustainability goals.