NFT
Non-Functional Turf
New California Law to Eliminate Water Waste for Non-Functional Turf
California is making moves to eliminate water waste with introduction of state law AB 1572 to conserve limited natural resources and encourage sustainable landscaping. In 2023, Assembly Bill 1572 was passed to ban use of potable (drinking) water to irrigate non-functional turf on public, government and commercial properties including homeowner associations. The effort is part of the State Water Resources Control Board's adoption of the Make Conservation a California Way of Life regulation for water agencies to meet unique efficiency goals to reduce the need for emergency water during droughts. The regulation will prevent water overuse in areas where turf is ornamental (for appearance only) and the public cannot access turf for recreational purposes.
Approximately 51,000 acres of Metropolitan Water District's Southern California's estimated 218,000 acre service area is categorized as non-functional turf. The new law will replace non-functional turf with native plants or gardens and reduce water use by an estimated 10 percent according to a report from the Los Angeles Times. The non-functional turf areas include slopes, parkway medians, small decorative areas and along sidewalks. The ban is not immediate and will be completed in phases.
- January 2027: Local government, public agency and school sites
- January 2028: Commercial, industrial and other institutional properties
- January 2029: Common areas of homeowner associations and similar sites
- January 2030: Local government & public agency properties located in disadvantaged communities
- Streetscape Turf along driveways, freeways, highways, street medians, parking lots, parkways, public or private streets.
- Decorative Turf adjacent to or surrounding buildings, common areas, maintenance areas, or school sites.
- Grass on sloped areas not suitable for recreational use in areas not zoned for single-family residence.
- Grass in parking lots or HOA common areas that does not serve as recreation for the community.
The following are areas where turf is approved and AB 1572 does not apply:
- Atheltic Field turf is used primaril for sports or recreational activities, PE for schools, located at a school, church, park, recreational or senior center.
- Residential Turf is located in the yard of a home.
- Pet Turf is for commercial, residential or retail properties with locations dedicated to pet relief for recreation, veternarian and pet boarding facilities.
- Playground Turf is located within playground amenities, including actvity equipment, playgrounds, swings, and play structures at day care centers, HOA properties, public parks, religious institutions, recreation and senior centers school sites.
- The non-functional turf ban does NOT apply to Rainbow Water residential customers.
The non-functional turf ban does NOT apply to Rainbow Water residential customers.
Save Water on What Matters, Not Unused Turf
Rainbow Water's commercial and institutional customers are encouraged to jump start turf removal by applying for turf rebates. Rainbow Water has partnered with the County of San Diego to bring a temporary rebate incentive increase. The rebate can be combined with Metropolitan Water District’s rebate for a total of $7 per square foot for commercial turf removal through March 1, 2026. Commercial turf removal applications submitted after March 2026 will have a rebate of $4 per square foot. Additional rebates are available for irrigation controllers, native California plants, rain barrels and personalized landscape assistance. Explore programs and rebates available in the links below.
