By Aberdeen Insider - February 26, 2026 in ORDINANCE NO. 26-02-01
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE ABERDEEN CITY CODE
TO INCORPORATE ARTIFICIAL TURF INTO LANDSCAPE STANDARDS
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Aberdeen is charged with providing for the general welfare and property of its citizens, and does so, in part, through adoption of landscape standards codified in the Aberdeen City Code for the beautification of the community; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that the following ordinance amending the landscape standards will promote the beautification of the City while also protecting the general welfare, health, safety, and property of its citizens.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF ABERDEEN THAT THE FOLLOWING CHANGES AND ADDITIONS SHALL BE MADE TO THE ABERDEEN CITY CODE:
- Sections 56-3 and 56-111 of Chapter 56 – VEGETATION are hereby amended with strikethrough indicating text to be deleted, underline indicating text to be added, and the remainder of the Chapter to be left unaffected::
Sec. 56-3. Appeals.
(a) In deciding an appeal, the forestry committee shall have the authority:
(1) To modify or revoke an order regarding removal, planting, and trimming of trees or plants;
(2) In the case of landscape standards under article IV of this chapter, to consider alternate placement of trees and shrubs and shall have the authority to waive numerical requirements including islands; or
(3) To increase the amount of artificial turf permitted under section 56-216(c)(2) to not more than 15% of the total ground cover area required to be landscaped.
(b) The decision of the forestry committee may be appealed to the city council if requested by either party in writing to the city manager or the city attorney within ten business days of the forestry committee’s decision. The party requesting the appeal to the city council bears the burden of proof. The standard of proof to be used by the city council is by a preponderance of the evidence. The city council shall have the power to overrule the actions or decisions of the forestry committee with a vote of not less than two-thirds of its entire membership.
Sec. 56-111. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
Artificial turf means a dense and continuous surface of synthetic fibers mounted on a permeable backing and of sufficient density and green color to replicate the appearance of healthy, natural grass.
- A new section shall be added to Chapter 56 – VEGETATION, Article IV. LANDSCAPE STANDARDS, Division 2. DISTRICT REQUIREMENTS, Subdivision III. Nonresidential Districts, as follows
Sec. 56-216. Artificial turf.
(a) Approval required. It is unlawful for any person to use artificial turf in violation of this section. Any person who wishes to use artificial turf in a permitted district shall first obtain approval from the city forester pursuant to this section and pay all applicable fees.
(b) Certain districts. Artificial turf may not be used to satisfy landscape standards in any residential zoning district but, upon approval, may be permitted in the following nonresidential zoning districts:
(1) C-1 Neighborhood commercial district;
(2) C-2 Highway commercial district;
(3) C-3 Central business district;
(4) I-1 Industrial park district;
(5) I-2 Unrestricted industrial district;
(6) Municipal, state and county use district; and
(7) Health care district.
(c) Design. Artificial turf shall comply with all of the following design standards and shall:
(1) Simulate the appearance of live turf, organic turf, grass, sod or lawn, and must replicate real live grass (i.e., green);
(2) Not exceed 10% of the total ground cover area required to be landscaped;
(3) Not encroach upon the 120 square feet planting areas for trees or shrubs;
(4) Be a type known as cut pile infill with pile fibers of a minimum height of 1.5 inches and a maximum height of 2.5 inches;
(5) Have a minimum face weight of 80 ounces per square yard;
(6) Be manufactured from polyethylene yarn, dual yarn system, and manufactured in the United States;
(7) Have backing that is water permeable; and
(8) Be new product, not previously installed elsewhere.
(d) Installation. Artificial turf shall comply with all of the following installation standards and shall:
(1) Be installed over a subgrade prepared to provide positive drainage and installed on an evenly graded, porous crushed rock aggregate material that is a minimum of three inches in depth; and
(2) Be anchored at all edges and seams consistent with the manufacturer’s specifications and:
a. Not have visible seams between panels;
b. Have seams that are joined in a tight and secure manner; and
c. Have an infill medium consisting of clean silica sand or other mixture, pursuant to the manufacturer’s specifications that shall:
- Be brushed into the fibers to ensure that the fibers remain in an upright position;
- Provide ballast that will help hold the turf in place; and
- Provide a cushioning effect; and
(3) Be installed by a qualified general or landscape contractor.
(e) Maintenance. Artificial turf shall comply with all of the following maintenance standards and shall:
(1) Be maintained in an attractive and clean condition, and shall not contain holes, tears, stains, discoloration, seam separations, uplifted surfaces or edges, heat degradation or excessive wear.
(2) Be maintained in a green fadeless condition and free of weeds, debris, and impressions.
(3) Damaged or worn areas in the artificial turf must be repaired, or removed and replaced, in a prompt manner and repaired in a form and manner acceptable to the city. Artificial turf must be removed and replaced once it is unable to be maintained as required.
(4) If the city identifies a maintenance, repair, or replacement issue, it shall be resolved in a form and manner acceptable to the city within six months of written notification to the property owner.
(f) Applications. Applications to the city forester for use of artificial turf shall be accompanied by:
(1) Brand and type of artificial turf, including manufacturer specifications and warranties showing the turf:
a. Complies with all applicable ASTM standards, including but not limited to ASTM F2765 and F1551;
b. Has a warranty of not less than 15 years against UV degradation, fiber breakdown, and seam failure;
c. Yarn and backing performance ratings include UV stabilization, heat resistance, and permeability;
d. Meets all federal CPSC lead limits and contains no intentionally added heavy metals;
e. Must be permeable and drain water; and
f. Color fastness meets ASTM G154 or similar rating;
(2) A scaled cross-section and details of the proposed materials and installation, including but not limited to subgrade, drainage, aggregate base or leveling layer, and infill; and
(3) An up-to-date survey of the property.
(g) Abatement. A violation of this section may be abated, including removal, as set forth under section 56-2, which order may appealed as provided under section 56-3. The remedy of abatement shall be in addition to all other remedies available including prosecution for a violation of this section.
- Severability. The provisions of this ordinance are severable. If any provision of this ordinance or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application.
- Effective Date. The City Finance Officer shall cause this ordinance to be published in the official newspaper in clean text with all deletions and additions incorporated therein and footnotes omitted. This ordinance shall become effective twenty (20) days after the completed publication unless the referendum is invoked.
/s/ Travis Schaunaman, Mayor, ATTEST: /s/ Jordan McQuillen, Finance Officer
Published once on February 26, 2026, at the total approximate cost of $89.59 and may be viewed free of charge at www.sdpublicnotices.com and www.aberdeeninsider.com