Nonfunctional Turf Ban (Assembly Bill 1572)

Nonfunctional Turf: Lawn that is purely decorative and not used for recreational purposes, often found along street medians, parking lots, and streetscapes (narrow spaces of lawn that line the sidewalk).

Functional Turf: Lawn located in spaces designed for recreational use or community gathering areas.

Potable Water: Water that is safe for human consumption. Water delivered by ACWD is potable.

Sustainable Landscaping: The practice of creating and maintaining outdoor spaces in ways that protect and support the environment and conserve resources like water. This includes landscaping that uses native or drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation systems, mulch, and other practices that reduce water use, support biodiversity, and improve soil health.

The ban will be phased in starting January 1, 2027, with different compliance deadlines dependent on the property type:

• January 1, 2027: State-owned properties, local governments, and public water systems
• January 1, 2028: Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties
• January 1, 2029: HOA common areas and similar developments
• January 1, 2031: Local government-managed properties located in disadvantaged communities (DAC)

No Impact:

• Single-Family Residential Properties
• Multi-Family Residential Properties 

• ACWD Rebates: ACWD encourages customers to replace nonfunctional turf with water-efficient landscaping through its Lawn Be Gone rebate program.
• Voluntary Reporting: If you manage or are responsible for a site that will be affected by AB 1572, and you believe you have functional turf that should be exempt, please let ACWD know by completing the Voluntary Reporting Form for Functional Areas. 
• Visit the California Water Efficiency Partnership's (CalWEP) nonfunctional turf website.

While AB 1572 requires you to stop watering nonfunctional turf with potable water, it doesn't mean you're stuck with dead grass. In fact, this is a great opportunity to rethink your landscape and make it more beautiful, resilient, and environmentally friendly. 

Use ACWD's Lawn Be Gone Rebate Program

Transform visible lawn areas into vibrant, water-wise gardens. This is ideal for:

• Frontage lawns
• Decorative strips or medians along sidewalks or driveways
• Entryways and high-visibility zones

For areas you're not ready to convert, applying mulch is a simple, effective solution. It:

• Keeps your landscape tidy
• Helps retain moisture
• Suppresses weeds

Artificial turf may seem like a low-maintenance alternative, but it comes with environmental and practical drawbacks. That's why it is not eligible for rebates through ACWD's Lawn Be Gone Rebate program. 

Artificial turf:

• Can overheat and contribute to urban heat
• Doesn't support soil life or biodiversity
• Requires eventual replacement and maintenance
• May contribute to runoff pollution and landfill waste 

For a healthier, more sustainable option, ACWD encourages customers to choose living landscapes that qualify for rebates and support long-term environmental goals. 

AB 1572 allows for the use of potable water "to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings, or to address an immediate health and safety need."

To protect trees:

• Convert your irrigation system to a drip system or deep watering methods
• Avoid overhead spray that waters surrounding turf
• Add mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect roots

Visit our Tree Care FAQ for more tips on keeping your trees healthy during the transition.