In the fall of 2023, legislation passed Assembly Bill 1572 banning the use of potable water for irrigating non-functional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) properties.
Non-functional turf is lawn that is grown for decoration or ornamental purposes, like in street medians or front lawns outside businesses. These areas include:
-
Streetscape – turf located along public or private streets, sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots.
-
Frontage, courtyard, interior and building adjacent – turf in front of, between, behind, or otherwise adjacent to a building or buildings on a non-residential property.
-
Certain HOA-managed landscape areas – turf managed by a homeowner association that does not provide a recreational benefit to the community or that otherwise does not qualify as functional turf.
Trees that are located within non-functional turf area and using the same irrigation system for watering may still be irrigated as necessary. Turf areas with trees provide several benefits to the community and are encouraged to thrive. Residential turf is not affected by this legislation. The ban does not apply to areas with functional turf such as:
-
Athletic Field – turf used for sports or physical education.
-
Designated Use Area – turf designated for special use at cemeteries and mortuaries.
-
Pet Relief Area – turf at a property commercial and retail services for pets, such as veterinarian and boarding facilities.
-
Picnic or Playground Areas – turf within designated play areas with playground amenities on homeowner association owned/managed property or public park, school, daycare, recreation center, senior center, or religious institutions.
The implementation of the ban will occur in stages for CII landscapes:
-
2027: Properties owned by local governments
-
2028: Commercial and industrial properties
-
2029: Common areas of homeowners’ associations
-
2031: Local government properties in disadvantaged communities or when state funding for turf replacement becomes available
The Solano County Water Agency offers a Water-Efficient Landscape Rebate for commercial properties. To learn more about this program and how to apply, click here.
For more details about AB 1572, click here.
On November 13, 2025, CalWEP and SoCalGas hosted a virtual session designed specifically for Commercial Industrial Institutional customers - including property managers, landscapers, and HOA representatives - who want to understand how California's new nonfunctional turf law applies to them and what steps they can take toward compliance.
To view the recording and the slides click here.
For more resources, and information on AB 1572 visit nonfunctionalturfca.org.
