Nonfunctional Turf Bill (AB 1572)
California has prohibited irrigating “nonfunctional” grass on commercial properties with drinking water, with some exceptions
California is navigating a drier, hotter climate by making systemic changes to save more water.
In 2024, the California State Legislature adopted a law, Water Code section 10608.14 (Assembly Bill (AB) 1572 (2023)), which bans the use of treated drinking water to irrigate nonfunctional mowed grass, also known as “turf,” on commercial, institutional, and industrial properties. In this case, drinking water (that is, potable water) means water that has been made safe for human consumption.
Nonfunctional turf on commercial properties use high amounts of water.
“Nonfunctional turf” refers to mowed grass that is not in a recreational use area or in a community space. The nonfunctional turf ban aims to eliminate using drinking water for something people do not directly use. This saves water for other beneficial uses. It also saves energy which would otherwise be used to treat water to drinking water standards.
Upcoming Deadlines
January 1, 2027
- Public water systems must revise regulations, ordinances, or policies governing water service and communicate the requirements to their customers.
- All properties owned by the Department of General Services must stop watering non-functional turf with potable water.
- Except for those located in a disadvantaged community, properties owned by local governments, local or regional public agencies, and public water systems must stop watering non-functional turf with potable water.
The 3 primary requirements of the nonfunctional turf ban:
1. Public water systems must:
- Revise their regulations, ordinances, or policies for the use of potable (drinking) water to irrigate nonfunctional turf in line with the requirements of nonfunctional turf ban
- Communicate these requirements to their customers
2. Properties owned by any of the following must not irrigate nonfunctional turf with potable water:
- Commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) properties (cemeteries excluded)
- Homeowners’ associations
- Common interest developments
- Community service organizations
- Similar organizations
3. Properties owned by any of the following must certify their compliance to the State Water Resources Control Board (the Board):
- Commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) properties (cemeteries excluded)
- Homeowners’ associations
- Common interest developments
- Community service organizations
- Similar organizations
Coming Soon: Compliance Certification Form
Find Your Timeline
Examples of nonfunctional and functional turf
Some examples of nonfunctional turf include:
- Mowed grass located within street rights-of-way and parking lots.
- Mowed grass enclosed by fencing or other barriers to permanently keep people out.
- Mowed grass bordering signs, buildings, or sidewalks
Functional turf, in contrast, includes mowed grass used for recreational activities such as community gatherings, formal sports games, or informal recreation in a park or other green area.
Functional turf includes mowed grass in areas used for recreational or community activities.
California commercial properties can save water with water smart landscaping needing minimal irrigation.
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Other Resources
- Find low-water native plants or other low-water plants
- Low water landscaping resources
- Save Our Water
- Low water tree benefits and resources
- DIY video on low cost method to convert turf to planting bed
