Model Water Efficient Landscaping Ordinance (MWELO) Public Hearing
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Department of Water Resources (DWR), pursuant to California Government Code (GC) §65596.5, will conduct a public hearing to review the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO). The purpose of this review of the MWELO is to determine whether an update to MWELO would be a useful or effective means to improve landscape water use efficiency or the administration of the ordinance.
MWELO was created by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) as a model for local agencies to enforce minimum standards for water use efficiency in landscape design, construction, and management. It achieves this through specific requirements related to soil, plants, irrigation, stormwater, and nonpotable water supplies to improve California’s conditions in the built environment and provide benefits and realize sustainability goals.
Comments will be considered for the three-year update cycle that begins January 1, 2026.
This hearing will include a presentation on the history of MWELO and the most recent updates, topics identified for review, followed by an opportunity for public comment.
Public Hearing
DATE: Monday, December 8, 2025
TIME: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
LOCATION: Sacramento State University – Downtown Office
304 S Street, Sacramento CA 95811
The hearing will be recorded and will be webcast for Remote Participation: https://csus.zoom.us/meeting/register/X2vhNFReSvisP52pzWcrZA
How to participate:
We welcome all comments regarding the necessity to update the MWELO via in-person or written comments, or remotely through the Zoom meeting chat or verbal comment.
If you are unable to attend, comments can be submitted by:
Email: WELO@water.ca.gov
Regular Mail: Department of Water Resources
Attn: MWELO Review
Water Use Efficiency Branch
P.O. Box 942836-0001
Sacramento, CA 94236-0001
Written comments must be submitted by 5:00PM on 12/18/2025.
All inquiries should be directed to the contacts listed below.
Contacts:
Julia Hacker
Environmental Scientist, DWR
Kyle Miller
Senior Environmental Scientist, Supervisor, DWR