Non-Functional Turf
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.
Functional turf can include sports fields, parks, or other turf used for recreation, such as golf courses, playgrounds, picnic grounds, or pet exercise areas.
Who must comply with the ban?
The irrigation ban applies to Commercial and Municipal 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 the law 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 nonfunctional grass?
Converting grass to a Tahoe-Friendly landscape is an alternative to shutting off irrigation completely. With efficient irrigation and Tahoe appropriate plants, regenerative landscapes save water, support native plants and animal, sequester carbon, and beautify our communities.
The District offers a $1.50 per square foot up to 3,000 sq. ft. or $5,000 to commercial and municipal water customers. More information can be found here.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the ban only applies to commercial and municipal properties.
Even if lawn watering has to stop under the new rules, trees in those areas can continue to receive the water they need. Yes, trees in nonfunctional lawn areas may still be watered with potable water. However, you’ll need to change how you water to focus only on the tree and avoid wasting water.
Smart ways to irrigate:
- Adjust sprinklers so they water only under the tree canopy.
- Cap or turn off heads that irrigate surrounding unused lawn.
- Switch to tree bubblers/drip irrigation for better efficiency.
- Consider replacing nearby lawn with mulch or low-water plants, but make sure new irrigation still meets the trees’ needs.
- Use cycle-and-soak methods—short watering cycles with breaks between—to let water soak in deeply and avoid runoff.
The District offers the following resources:
- Turf Buy Back Rebate - a $1.50 per square foot up to 3,000 sq. ft. or $5,000 to commercial and municipal water customers to replace turf with water-efficient landscaping.
- Irrigation Controller Rebate - receive up to $100 to upgrade your irrigation controller to a Water-Sense labeled controller.
- Water Wise Landscape Consultation - Free site visit to identify ways to make your landscape and irrigation system more water efficient.
Yes, the District offers free Water Wise Landscape Consultations to assist customers with irrigation scheduling, plant selection and more. Visit stpud.watersmart.com to sign up.
It is equally important to understand what the law does not ban. AB 1572 explicitly allows for the continued watering of "functional grass" — turf areas that serve a legitimate purpose. This includes:
- Parks and public recreational spaces.
- Sports fields (e.g., soccer fields, baseball diamonds).
- Cemeteries.
- Any other areas where people regularly gather, play, or engage in recreational activities. The intent is not to eliminate all green spaces, but to eliminate wasteful irrigation of unused turf.
Have questions on if your grass is functional, sign up for a free Water Wise Landscape Consultation at stpud.watersmart.com
Enforcement of AB 1572 is required to be handled at the local level by water agencies. The District will be responsible for ensuring compliance within it's jursidiction. Beginning in the 2030–2031 fiscal year, property owners are required to certify their adherence to the rules every three year. Currently there is no guidance from the Department of Water Resources on property level certification.