They're actually going to write tickets for that? I've seen way worse damage from mowers that never gets a second look. This is just creating busywork.

My book club tried both ways last year.

Oh man, that's so smart! I read an article about how all that bare rock and gravel just soaks up the sun and blasts the heat right back at your walls. My cousin in Tucson swapped out some gravel for a couple of palo verde trees and some decomposed granite, and he said his AC doesn't kick on nearly as much in the afternoons now. Those desert willows should give you some great shade once they fill in. Really curious to see how your next electric bill looks!