Nonfunctional Turf
Beginning in 2027, California law (AB 1572) will phase in restrictions on using potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial and institutional properties, as well as certain homeowners association and common area landscapes.
The restriction applies specifically to irrigating nonfunctional turf with potable, or drinking, water.
Potable water can still be used on qualifying functional turf, while recycled water can be used on nonfunctional turf.
The City of Sacramento offers rebates of up to $50,000 to help eligible commercial, industrial and institutional properties replace nonfunctional turf with water-efficient landscaping.
What is nonfunctional turf?
In general, nonfunctional turf is grass maintained for appearance rather than for regular recreational or community use.
It can include landscaped areas that are not intended for sports, gatherings or other activities.
California law defines nonfunctional turf as:
“Any turf that is not functional turf, and includes turf located within street rights-of-way and parking lots.”
Examples of nonfunctional turf
- Landscaping around office buildings
- Grass along streets and medians
- Turf surrounding parking lots
- Decorative grass that people don’t regularly use
Examples of functional turf
Turf is generally considered functional when it supports regular recreational or community activities, such as:
- Sports fields
- Playgrounds
- Picnic areas
- Dog parks
- Lawns used for community events or gatherings
Grass does not qualify as functional turf when barriers permanently prevent people from using the area for recreation or gatherings.
Does this law apply to me?
AB 1572 applies to nonfunctional turf irrigated with potable water on the following property types:
- Commercial properties, such as office buildings, shopping centers and hotels
- Industrial properties
- Institutional properties, including schools, colleges and universities, hospitals, churches, government facilities and nonprofit research institutions
- Properties owned by state and local government agencies, public agencies and public water systems
- Common areas maintained by homeowners associations, common interest developments and community service organizations or similar entities
The law generally does not apply to:
- Single-family residential properties
- Multifamily residential landscapes that are not common areas
- Cemeteries
Compliance timeline
AB 1572 will be implemented in phases.
The date your property must comply depends on the type of property you own or manage.
*Does not apply to properties in disadvantaged communities, which have a later compliance date.
| Property type | Compliance date |
|---|---|
| Properties owned by local governments, local or regional public agencies, and public water systems* | Jan. 1, 2027 |
| All other commercial, industrial and institutional properties | Jan. 1, 2028 |
| Common areas owned by HOAs, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities | Jan. 1, 2029 |
| Properties owned by local governments, local public agencies, and public water systems located in disadvantaged communities | Jan. 1, 2031, or when state funding for turf conversion becomes available, whichever is later |
What do property owners need to do?
If your property is covered by AB 1572, here are the steps you should take:
- Determine whether the law applies to your property.
Review the covered property types and your compliance date to determine when the law takes effect for your property.
- Identify any nonfunctional turf.
Evaluate your landscape to determine whether any turf is considered nonfunctional under the law. Turf used for recreation or community gatherings is generally considered functional, while decorative turf is generally considered nonfunctional.
- Develop a plan for compliance.
Before your compliance date, stop irrigating nonfunctional turf with potable water. Options may include: Replacing nonfunctional turf with climate-appropriate landscaping. Irrigating with recycled water, where available. Removing irrigation from nonfunctional turf.
- Check whether any exceptions apply.
Limited exceptions allow potable water use when irrigation is needed to maintain trees or other perennial plants, or to address an immediate health or safety concern. In certain cases, the State Water Resources Control Board may also postpone a compliance deadline by up to three years for good cause.
- Complete certification, if required.
Some larger properties will also have state reporting requirements. Properties with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated area may need to submit a compliance certification to the State Water Resources Control Board beginning in 2030 or 2031, depending on the property type.
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