By Emma Epperly

Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

Differences in water usage best practices during a drought and homeowners’ association landscaping requirements are the target of new legislation.

The goal of House Bill 1165, introduced by Rep. Tina Orwall (D-Des Moines) is to require homeowner associations’ (HOAs) landscaping guidelines to align with water conservation guidelines during a drought.

Many HOAs or condominium associations have requirements on the type of landscaping allowedm, which often excludes fire resistant or low-water plants. The bill would prohibit HOAs from fining residents for employing low-water landscaping but does not require them to meet conservation standards.

Section 4 of the bill addresses the public sector by encouraging state-funded large building projects to use drought-resistant landscaping and wildfire-ignition-resistant landscaping.

Carrie Sessions from the Department of Ecology mentioned that her department received complaints during Washington’s last drought emergency in 2015 from individuals who were required to water their lawns to avoid HOA fines.

Kristen Bryant spoke in support of the bill on behalf of the Sierra Club. She noted that new developments often have HOA landscaping requirements based on the grass planted to sell the house. Over time, keeping that grass green takes a lot of water.

The four people who spoke at Tuesday’s House Committee on Rural Development, Agriculture and Natural Resources hearing supported the bill.

Orwall voiced her hopes that the bill would pass. She has been working on the bill for three years.