California's fresh waters are of limited supply and are subject to ever increasing demands. Continuation of California's economic prosperity is dependent on the availability of adequate supplies of water for future uses, and it is the policy of the State to promote the conservation and efficient use of water and to prevent the waste of this valuable resource.

Landscape design, installation, maintenance and management can and should be water efficient. Section 2 of Article X of the California Constitution specifies that the right to use water is limited to the amount reasonably required for the beneficial use to be served and the right does not and shall not extend to waste or unreasonable method of use.

California Government Code Sections 65591 et Seq. the Water Conservation Landscaping Act of 2006, requires cities to adopt a state model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance, and, on May 18, 2011, the Emeryville City Council approved the City's own Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

• WELO does not apply to landscapes smaller than 1,000 square feet.
• Landscapes measuring from 1,000 to 2,499 square feet are subject to WELO regulations for smaller landscapes. 
• Landscapes measuring 2,500 square feet and above are subject to WELO regulations for larger landscapes.

These measurements refer to the total landscaped square footage of a project, not to individual landscaped areas.