In fall of 2023, Assembly Bill 1572 was passed prohibiting the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties (CII). The legislation will replace a temporary non-functional turf irrigation ban enacted during the last drought and will be phased in beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
What is non-functional and functional turf?
Non-functional turf is ornamental grass not used for recreation, civic and/or other community events. It includes turf irrigated for aesthetics such as street medians and parking lots.
Example of non-functional turf in a parking lot. Functional turf can include sports fields, parks, or other turf used for recreation, such as golf courses, playgrounds, picnic grounds, or pet exercise areas.
What properties are affected?
The irrigation ban applies to CII properties including those below, but not limited to:
- City and county land
- Educational institutions
- Government, public agency buildings
- Grocery and retail stores
- Homeowner association owned properties and common interest developments
- Hospitals
- Office, warehouse, and industrial buildings
- Religious institutions
- Restaurants
When will this ban take effect?
Compliance will be phased in beginning January 1, 2027:
- State, local government, and public agency buildings beginning January 1, 2027.
- Institutional properties and all commercial and industrial properties, beginning January 1, 2028.
- All common areas of properties of homeowners’ associations, and common interest developments, beginning January 1, 2029.
- All properties owned by local governments, local public agencies, and public water systems in a disadvantaged community, beginning January 1, 2031 or when funding is available.
Why convert turf?
Converting turf to a waterwise landscape is an alternative to shutting off irrigation completely. With efficient irrigation and climate appropriate plants, regenerative landscapes save water, support biodiversity, sequester carbon, and beautify our communities.
For a limited time, EBMUD has increased the two-year dollar cap on lawn conversion rebates for commercial irrigators in our service area from $15,000 to $20,000 through December 31, 2026. The additional $5K only applies to lawn conversions, not irrigation equipment upgrades. More information can be found here.
No, the ban only applies to CII properties.
No, the ban prohibits the use of potable water only to irrigate non-functional turf at CII properties.
Yes, the bill allows for the irrigation of trees within non-functional turf.
Yes, we offer a variety of rebates for commercial customers to replace non-functional turf to a waterwise landscape. And for a limited time, EBMUD has increased the two-year dollar cap on lawn conversion rebates for commercial irrigators in our service area from $15,000 to $20,000 through December 31, 2026. The additional $5K only applies to lawn conversions, not irrigation equipment upgrades—more information can be found here.