AB 1572: Non-Functional Turf Irrigation Ban

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In Fall 2023, legislation passed Assembly Bill 1572 which prohibits the use of potable (drinking) water for irrigating non-functional turf (NFT) that does not provide recreational or community purpose. Because outdoor watering makes up a large portion of urban water use, this new law supports statewide efforts to respond to ongoing drought conditions and reduce unnecessary water waste. AB 1572 will help ensure California’s water supplies are used more responsibly and sustainably.

What Is “Non-Functional Turf”?

Nonfunctional turf refers to grass lawns that are maintained only for decorative or ornamental purposes and isn’t used for recreation or regular human activity. This includes mowed lawn areas that people don’t play on, gather on, or use for sports or socializing. Turf that is fenced off or otherwise permanently inaccessible is also considered nonfunctional.

Examples of non-functional turf include, but are not limited to:

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 common areas - turf owned or managed by a homeowner association that does not provide a recreational benefit to the community or that otherwise does not qualify as functional turf

What Would be Considered “Functional Turf”?

Under AB 1572 certain turf areas can continue to receive potable water because they serve an active recreational or community purpose. These are spaces where the grass is actively used by people, rather than simply maintained for appearance and where removing the turf would limit the community’s ability to gather, play, or participate in important cultural or recreational activities. These include:

Parks and public recreation areas: spaces where people regularly gather, play, or participate in outdoor activities such as picnic areas, playgrounds, and dog parks
Sports fields: such as soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and similar athletic facilities
Cemeteries and golf courses: where turf is an integral part of the site’s intended use

Functional Turf Example, family playing soccer on grass park

Timeline & Who Must Comply

The implementation of the non-functional turf watering ban will occur in the following grouped stages:

January 1, 2027		Public properties owned or managed by local governments, including public school districts (excluding disadvantaged communities)
January 1, 2028		Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties
January 1, 2029		Common areas managed by homeowner associations, common interest development, and community service organizations
January 1, 2031 (or later, based on funding)		Public properties in Disadvantaged Communities, contingent upon available state financial assistance or when state funding for turf replacement becomes available

Compliance Requirements

Starting June 30, 2030, CII properties with over 5,000 square feet of irrigated turf will need to self-certify compliance with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) every three years. For HOA properties with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated turf, self-certification to the SWRCB will begin on June 30, 2031, and will occur every three years thereafter.

Commercial, Industrial & Institutional

Beginning in 2028, California AB 1572 prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf at Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) properties. This statewide policy aims to support long‑term water conservation and encourage landscape transformations that are water-wise.

Properties affected but not limited to are:

Office Buildings
Hotels
Restaurants & Fast Food Establishments
Retail and Shopping Centers
Warehouses
Gyms

Banks
Hospitals
Medical Offices
Industrial Facilities
Gas Stations
Religious Institutions

Examples of Nonfunctional Turf Areas

These are turf areas that serve only aesthetic purposes and are not designed for recreation or community use:

Parking lot landscaping
Decorative entryway turf
Street‑front lawns
Perimeter grass areas
Unused lawn sections surrounding buildings

Potential Exemptions

Turf areas that are actively used for business operations or public purposes such as sports fields, event lawns, designated picnic areas, or other functional gathering spaces, may qualify for exemption under AB 1572. These areas are considered functional turf because they support recreation, community use, or organized activities.

CII property managers are encouraged to begin evaluating landscape areas and irrigation systems ahead of the 2028 compliance deadline to determine where nonfunctional turf may require conversion and where functional turf exemptions may apply.

CII Resources:

Educational Institutions

Under California AB 1572, private educational institutions must comply by 2028, while public educational institutions must comply by 2027. The law prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on educational properties.

Properties affected but not limited to are:

Elementary schools
Junior high schools
High schools

Community colleges
Universities
Adult schools

Examples of Nonfunctional Turf Areas

Nonfunctional turf includes decorative and aesthetic grass areas that are not used for athletics, recreation, or student activities, such as:

Entryway landscaping
Parking‑lot turf areas
Unused lawn sections around campus buildings

Potential Exemptions

Turf areas actively used for athletics, organized recreation, or student activities may qualify for exemption.

Educational facilities are encouraged to begin evaluating landscape and irrigation systems in advance of the required compliance dates.

Educational Institution Resources:

HOA Common Areas

California AB 1572 requires homeowners associations (HOAs) to comply with nonfunctional turf irrigation restrictions by 2029. The law prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate decorative turf areas that do not serve recreational or community functions. These requirements apply only to HOA‑maintained common areas. Private residential yards and individual homeowners’ personal landscaping are not subject to this law.

Examples of Nonfunctional Turf Areas
Nonfunctional turf includes decorative and aesthetic grass areas that are not used for active recreation or community gathering, such as:

Entryway landscaping
Perimeter lawns
Street‑frontage turf
Unused common‑area grass

Potential Exemptions
Turf areas that are actively used for parks, recreational fields, or resident activities such as picnic areas may qualify for exemption under AB 1572.

HOAs are encouraged to begin reviewing landscapes and irrigation systems ahead of the 2029 compliance deadline to prepare for required modifications.

HOA Resources:

Exemptions and Areas Eligible for Continued Irrigation

Certain areas are exempt from the nonfunctional turf irrigation ban. This includes functional turf, which serves recreational, community, or memorial purposes. The ban also does not apply to turf at single‑family residences or turf located within the private residential portions of HOA and multi‑family properties. (Note: HOA‑managed common areas are not exempt and remain subject to nonfunctional turf restrictions.)

Trees and other perennials that are planted on non-functional turf are also exempt from the ban. If these plants share an irrigation zone with nonfunctional turf, you may continue watering that area to ensure the plants receive the water they need. Maintaining the health of trees and perennials is essential as they provide important environmental and community benefits such as improved air quality, shade, and habitat for local wildlife.

NFT_Exempt Examples

However, it is strongly recommended to create a dedicated watering plan for trees. Their root systems are more delicate and require very different watering practices than grass lawns. Many lawns are typically watered with shallow, frequent cycles, but this type of watering can harm trees by encouraging weak, surface‑level roots and depriving deeper roots of needed moisture. Trees thrive with slow, deep watering that reaches the full root zone. Most absorbing roots are located near the dripline (the outer edge of the tree’s canopy) so watering at the trunk provides little benefit.

For guidance on proper tree care and watering practices, visit:

Water Efficient Landscape Rebate Program Available

The Solano County Water Agency offers a turf conversion rebate for commercial customers designed to support long‑term water conservation and landscape efficiency. Eligible participants may receive $1.50 per square foot, up to a maximum of $7,500, for approved commercial landscape areas within Solano County (up to 5,000 square feet).

For program details and application materials, visit scwa2.com/rebate. For additional assistance, contact (707) 455‑1113 or email solanocash4grass@scwa2.com.

General Resources:

Less Lawn More Solutions Webinar by CalWEP & SoCalGas recording and slides
AB 1572 Summary Handout
Solano County Water Agency AB 1572 Information Page
Visit nonfunctionalturfca.org for resources, planting guides and more!
For reference to the text of AB 1572 click here.
For reference to Fairfield City Code Chapter 22 Water, click here.