Roy, population about 38,993 (Census ACS 2020–2024), requires landscaping in the yards of residential lots within 18 months of a certificate of occupancy. A public copy of the city code (section 10-10-20, amended by Ordinance 22-8 on July 5, 2022) says turf grass may not exceed 35% of the irrigable front and side yard, and no turf grass is allowed in park strips or in areas less than 8 feet wide (Roy City code, public copy).
That language is about turf grass, meaning living lawn. The words artificial and synthetic do not appear anywhere in the chapter we reviewed, and we could not find a published Roy rule specific to artificial turf. Whether a synthetic lawn counts toward the 35% figure, or counts as a ground cover at all, is a question for Roy's planning staff. Ask before you sign, and have the answer in writing.
Secondary Water and Your Lawn
Most Roy homes water their yards with secondary (untreated) water from the Roy Water Conservancy District. Roy's 2025 water plan says only about 5 percent of households use Roy City drinking water for outdoor irrigation (Roy Water Use and Conservation Element, adopted Dec 2025). The district's rules include no watering from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and no watering on consecutive days (Roy City watering rules). When lawn is replaced with turf, the sprinkler zones feeding it should be capped or rerouted, so ask for that to be itemized in the estimate.
Rebates in Roy
Roy is in Weber Basin's $2.50 per square foot tier for the Landscape Lawn Exchange, but artificial turf is excluded (Weber Basin). If you want a rebate, it is for replacing lawn with water-wise plants. If you want a no-mow synthetic lawn, you pay for it yourself. Our rebate guide lays out the trade-off.
Roy Homes at a Glance
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates, via Census Reporter. Estimates carry margins of error. With 84% owner-occupied and 79% single-family detached, Roy is mostly houses with their own yards. A median build year of 1986 suggests established lawns and older sprinkler systems that are worth inspecting before a turf project.
| Measure (Census ACS 2020–2024) | Roy |
|---|---|
| Population | 38,993 |
| Housing units | 13,605 |
| Median year built | 1986 |
| Built 2010 or later | 7% |
| Owner-occupied | 84% |
| Single-family detached | 79% |
Costs
Start with the artificial turf cost guide. For backyards and play areas see pet turf and artificial grass lawns. Nearby Layton is also close to Roy, but each city sets its own rules.
Services available in Roy
Artificial Grass Lawns
Front and back lawns replaced with turf on a proper compacted base, priced in writing.
Artificial Grass Lawns →Backyard Putting Greens
Contoured synthetic greens with fringe and cups, sized to the yard you have.
Backyard Putting Greens →Playground and Commercial Turf
Padded playground turf, HOA common areas and low-water commercial frontage.
Playground and Commercial Turf →Turf Removal and Replacement
Worn or failed turf pulled up, the base repaired, and new turf laid properly.
Turf Removal and Replacement →Turf Questions From Roy Homeowners
Does Roy allow artificial turf in front yards?
We could not find a published Roy rule about artificial turf. The code limits living turf grass to 35% of the front and side yard and bans it in park strips and areas under 8 feet wide. Ask Roy planning how a synthetic lawn is treated before you install.
Does the Weber Basin lawn rebate cover artificial turf in Roy?
No. Roy qualifies for the higher $2.50 per square foot rate, but the program excludes replacing lawn with artificial turf, concrete or other hard surfaces.
Who supplies the irrigation water in Roy?
Most homes use secondary water from the Roy Water Conservancy District, and the city provides drinking water. The Roy City watering page lists 801-774-1000 for watering questions.