The New California Landscape
AB-1572: The state-wide ban on irrigating non-functional turf
Passed into law in 2023, AB-1572 will prohibit the use of potable water to irrigate 'non-functional turf' on government, commercial, and institutional properties, as well as in the common areas of homeowners associations, and in many other locations.
This will mostly eradicate ornamental lawn throughout the state in most places other than single-family homes, a transformation of the California landscape. It will save California communities millions of gallons of water each year, but will take careful planning to implement successfully.
Identifying which lawns are non-functional and planning for a successful transition needs to start now, as the law begins phasing in on January 1st, 2027.
What is non-functional turf?
NON-FUNCTIONAL TURF
NON-FUNCTIONAL turf (NFT) does not serve a recreational or gathering purpose. It is also known as decorative turf or ornamental turf.
Some common examples of non-functional turf are:
- Parking strips
- Road medians
- Building frontages
- Inaccessible lawns
FUNCTIONAL TURF
FUNCTIONAL turf serves recreational or social gathering purposes for people and pets and are exempt from this law.
Some examples of functional turf are:
- Sports and recreation areas
- Picnic areas
- Gathering areas
- Exercise areas
- Pet play areas
- Event spaces
TREE CANOPIES
The authors of the law recognized that the preservation and health of existing trees is critical in mitigating the urban heat island effect and is an important tool in fighting climate change. Therefore, lawns under the canopy of existing trees may continue to be irrigated.
Compliance deadlines
*Government Properties
Commercial, Institutional, Industrial Properties (CII)
Commercial, Institutional, Industrial Properties (CII)
JANUARY 1st, 2027
These include but are not limited to:
- Public schools and universities
- Public parks
- City halls
- Public libraries
- Public service facilities
*Government buildings and public agencies in disadvantaged communities are exempt through the end of 2030.
Commercial, Institutional, Industrial Properties (CII)
Commercial, Institutional, Industrial Properties (CII)
Commercial, Institutional, Industrial Properties (CII)
JANUARY 1st, 2028
These include but are not limited to:
- Commercial parks
- Businesses
- Private schools and universities
- Private healthcare facilities and hospitals
- Cultural institutions
Homeowners Associations
Commercial, Institutional, Industrial Properties (CII)
Homeowners Associations
JANUARY 1st, 2029
The law applies to all common areas of all Common Interest Developments including:
- Homeowners Associations
- Condominiums
- Co-ops
- Planned Unit Developments
*Exclusive use areas are exempt.