California faces ongoing water challenges including drought, population growth, and climate change. AB 1881 is California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance that aims to increase water use efficiency in new and existing landscapes through requirements, plan checks, audits, and penalties. The ordinance requires appropriate irrigation technology and design standards that use a water budget approach and address issues like distribution uniformity to reduce water use. GIS, GPS, and satellite imagery can help validate irrigation efficiency and estimate landscape water needs. Developing alternative water supplies will also help ease stressed water resources.