Nonfunctional Turf: What to Know (Assembly Bill (AB) 1572)

State legislation AB 1572, signed on October 13, 2023, prohibits the use of drinking (potable) water to irrigate nonfunctional turfgrass on commercial, industrial, institutional (CII) properties and Homeowners Association (HOA) common areas throughout the state of California. AB 1572 applies to properties owned by state and local public agencies, privately-owned CII properties, and non-residential HOA common areas.

What is Nonfunctional Turf?
Nonfunctional turfgrass is defined as any turfgrass area that is maintained for decorative or aesthetic purposes and serves no other function. Examples of nonfunctional turfgrass include, but are not limited to, lawn grass on road medians, parkways, business parks, and parking lots. Turfgrass areas may be considered nonfunctional regardless of whether they have fencing.

What is Functional Turf?
Functional turf includes areas used for recreation or community spaces, such as sports fields, school fields, and picnic areas. This regulation does not apply to residential lawns or areas irrigated with non-potable, i.e., recycled/reclaimed, water. Cemeteries are exempt from the regulation.

Do I need to remove my turfgrass?
The regulation bans the irrigation of nonfunctional turfgrass (if the irrigation system is not using recycled water) and does not mandate turfgrass removal. However, replacing turfgrass with a waterwise landscape is one way to maintain green space on your property while complying with AB 1572.

Where can I find more information?
The California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP) has created a public resource page about AB 1572: https://nonfunctionalturfca.org/

Visit their site to learn more about how to identify nonfunctional turf in your property and view free informational flyers and guides.

Where Can I Get Assistance? REBATES ARE AVAILABLE!
Looking to remove turfgrass from your property? MWDOC’s Turf Replacement Program offers rebates for transforming turfgrass into watershed-wise landscaping. Maximize savings by stacking on a Spray-to-Drip rebate for replacing traditional spray sprinklers with highly efficient drip irrigation. Find out more information at www.mwdoc.com/commercialrebates!

What is the Timeframe for Compliance?

• January 1, 2027
  • Starting 1/1/2027, state and local government properties are prohibited from irrigating nonfunctional turf with potable water.
  • By 1/1/2027, public water systems are to revise their regulations, ordinances, or policies to include these requirements.
• January 1, 2028
  • Starting 1/1/2028, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties are prohibited from irrigating non-functional turfgrass with potable water.
• January 1, 2029
  • Starting 1/1/2029, HOA-type properties (HOA common areas, mobile home parks, and retirement communities) are prohibited from irrigating nonfunctional turfgrass with potable water.
• June 30, 2030
  • Starting 6/30/2030, state and local government properties and commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with over 5,000 square feet of irrigated area must self-certify to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) every three (3) years.
• January 1, 2031
  • Starting 1/1/2031, or until state funding is made available, state and local government properties in disadvantaged communities are prohibited from irrigating nonfunctional turf with potable water.
• June 30, 2031
  • Starting 6/30/2031, HOA-type properties with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated common area must self-certify compliance to the SWRCB every three (3) years.

For questions about AB 1572, contact your local retail water provider. Find their details here: mwdoc.com/servicearea.