New Turf Rules: What You Need to Know About California’s Ban on Non-Functional Grass

It’s time for another Water Wise Wednesday, brought to you by the Coachella Valley Water District. This week, we’re focusing on California’s new rules regarding non-functional turf, following the adoption of Assembly Bill 1572 in October 2024.

Joining us to explain what this means for local residents and businesses is Lorraine Garcia from the Coachella Valley Water District.

“Non-functional turf is defined by the state as grass that is purely decorative and not used for recreation,” Garcia explains. “That can include small strips of grass along sidewalks or in medians that are hard to irrigate and don’t serve any real purpose.”

Examples of functional turf that are still allowed include sports fields, cemeteries, picnic areas, and event spaces.

So, who’s affected by this new regulation? The ban on watering non-functional turf with potable water applies to:

• State and local governments

• Commercial, industrial, and institutional customers

• Homeowners associations (HOAs)

• Mobile home parks

Residential properties are not impacted by this law.

The timeline for compliance varies:

• Most entities must begin self-certifying turf status in 2027

• HOAs and mobile home parks have until January 1, 2029

Garcia encourages customers not to wait. “Start planning now, especially if it's a large area. CVWD can help explain the regulations and offers rebates for turf removal.”

For more information, visit cvwd.org/NFT.

Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.