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 turf 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 turf is defined as any turfgrass area that is decorative and serves no other function. Examples of nonfunctional turf include, but are not limited to, lawn grass on road medians, business parks, and parking lots. 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.

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 1/1/27, state and local government properties are prohibited from irrigating nonfunctional turf with potable water.
  • By 1/1/27, public water systems are to revise their regulations, ordinances, or policies to include these requirements.
• January 1, 2028
  • Starting 1/1/28, commercial, industrial, and institutional properties are prohibited from irrigating non-functional turf with potable water.
• January 1, 2029
  • Starting 1/1/29, HOA-type properties (HOA common areas, mobile home parks, and retirement communities) are prohibited from irrigating nonfunctional turf 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 turfgrass must self-certify to the SWRCB every three (3) years.
• January 1, 2031
  • Starting 1/1/31, 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 6/30/31, HOA-type properties with more than 5,000 square feet of turfgrass 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.