In fall of 2023, Assembly Bill 1572 was passed prohibiting the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties (CII). The legislation will replace a temporary non-functional turf irrigation ban enacted during the last drought and will be phased in beginning January 1, 2027.
What is non-functional and functional turf?
Non-functional turf is ornamental grass not used for recreation, civic and/or other community events. It includes turf irrigated for aesthetics such as street medians and parking lots.
Functional turf can include sports fields, parks, or other turf used for recreation, such as golf courses, playgrounds, picnic grounds, or pet exercise areas.
What properties are affected?
The irrigation ban applies to CII properties including those below, but not limited to:
- City and county land
- Educational institutions
- Government, public agency buildings
- Grocery and retail stores
- Homeowner association owned properties and common interest developments
- Hospitals
- Office, warehouse, and industrial buildings
- Religious institutions
- Restaurants
For more information view this Non-Functional Turf Resource.
When will this ban take effect?
Compliance will be phased in beginning January 1, 2027:
- State, local government, and public agency buildings, including public schools and universities beginning January 1, 2027.
- Institutional, commercial, and industrial properties, including private schools and universities beginning January 1, 2028.
- All common areas of properties of homeowners’ associations, and common interest developments, beginning January 1, 2029.
- All properties owned by local governments, local public agencies, and public water systems in a disadvantaged community, beginning January 1, 2031 or when funding is available.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the ban apply to residential properties
- No, the ban only applies to CII properties.
- I have trees in my turf, can I still irrigate them?
- Yes, the bill allows for the irrigation of trees within non-functional turf.