---
title: Duluth UDC § 709 — Duluth
jurisdiction: duluth
governing_jurisdiction: Duluth
source_url: "https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf"
effective_date: "2026-07-13"
as_of: "2026-08-13"
canonical: "https://www.gwindex.net/code/duluth/709"
licence: "CC0-1.0"
---

# Duluth UDC § 709

02. Water-Efficient Design Standards

**Governing jurisdiction: Duluth.** A "Duluth, GA" mailing address is usually NOT in the City of Duluth. Unincorporated Gwinnett is 67.3% of the county's land area and is governed by a different code, a different board and a different permit portal. Resolve the governing jurisdiction before answering any zoning question.


- **Article:** 7 — Landscaping, Buffers, and Tree Protection
- **Pages in source:** 194
- **Adopted:** 2025-09-08
- **Amended through:** 2026-07-13
- **Source:** https://www.duluthga.net/UDC_ADOPTED_9.8.2025_Amended_7-13-26.pdf

## Text

a. Individuals or firms who prepare the plans and plats required by this Article shall use water-efficient

landscaping principles and techniques as one of the criterion to be used in plant selection and design.

193 | P a g e

Article Seven. Landscaping, Buffers, and Tree Protection

1. Principles and Techniques of Water-Efficient Landscaping. The recommended principles and
techniques to be considered are as follows:

a. Proper Location and Design - locating plants where they will naturally thrive and not

require excessive water and maintenance to survive, as well as grouping plants by water
needs, and limiting and concentrating high water using plants.
b. Turf Selection - selecting turf grasses that can survive the variable rainfall conditions in

this region and limiting turf areas.
c. Efficient Watering - once plants are established, avoid watering during periods of

normal rainfall and during droughts, watering every week to 10 days or less depending
on the drought tolerance of the plants.
d. Soil Improvements - loosening and breaking up the soil beyond the immediate planting

area to allow better water absorption and to promote deep roots.
e. Mulching - using mulch to hold moisture in the soil which helps maximize the benefits of

watering as well as preventing weeds.
f. Plant Selection - selecting plants according to their watering requirements and optimum

locations.
g. Maintenance - maintaining the landscape to maximize water conservations such as

increasing mowing heights and avoiding fertilizing during dry spells.