Localscapes design
Utah's own water-wise design standard, built to the actual pattern.
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What's included
Localscapes is a specific, free design standard developed for Utah by the state's Division of Water Resources — it's not a generic 'xeriscape' national template, it's a pattern built around this state's climate and water supply.
The pattern itself is concrete: a single, central open lawn shape sized to how you'll actually use it (up to about 35% of the yard in northern Utah), surrounded by defined planting beds, clear paths connecting activity areas, and no lawn in narrow strips under 8 feet wide. The goal is a yard that's both genuinely usable and genuinely water-wise, instead of forcing a choice between the two.
A lot of contractors call any low-water yard a 'Localscape' without actually following the pattern. We build to the real standard — the shape, the zoning, the bed layout — so the result actually functions the way the program intends, not just a yard with less grass in it.
How it works
Step by step, here's what actually happens on site:
- 1Assess the current yard layout and how the space actually gets used
- 2Design a single, central open lawn shape sized appropriately — not scattered turf in odd corners
- 3Lay out planting beds, paths, and gathering areas around that central shape
- 4Select zone 6b–7a–appropriate plants for the beds
- 5Zone irrigation separately for turf, beds, and drip areas
- 6Build out the hardscape, planting, and irrigation to match the finished design
Why Ironwood
We build to the actual Localscapes pattern — the sizing, the single open shape, the bed layout — not just a loosely 'water-wise' yard that borrows the name.
Because we handle design and build ourselves, the pattern gets translated correctly into real grading, irrigation zones, and construction instead of losing something between a drawing and a shovel.
Pairs naturally with our xeriscaping and park strip work if you're doing the whole yard at once.
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Localscapes design FAQ
What exactly makes a yard a 'Localscape'?
A single central open lawn shape sized to actual use (up to about 35% of the yard in northern Utah), defined planting beds and paths around it, and no lawn in strips under 8 feet wide — it's a specific pattern, not just 'less grass.'
Is this the same thing as xeriscaping?
They're related — Localscapes is a specific, structured Utah design pattern for a usable, water-wise yard, while 'xeriscaping' is a broader general term for drought-tolerant landscaping.
Do I have to remove all my lawn?
No — the standard is built around keeping a reasonably sized, usable lawn area, just in one connected shape instead of scattered strips and corners.
Are there incentives tied specifically to Localscapes?
Some cities and water districts offer incentives for landscapes that meet water-efficient design standards — availability depends on where you live, so we'd check your specific city or district.