ASSEMBLY BILL 1572

IRRIGATION RESTRICTIONS FOR NONFUNCTIONAL TURF

BY: MAX MORENO, VP OF WATER CONSERVATION HARVEST LANDSCAPE ENTERPRISES INC.

In an effort to conserve California’s water resources, Governor Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1572 into law on Saturday, October 14, 2023. The law is designed to significantly reduce the use of potable water for irrigating nonfunctional turf, with the goal of enhancing water sustainability across the state.

The law focuses on specific property types, both residential and commercial, where potable water is currently used for nonfunctional turf irrigation. It emphasizes that using potable water for nonfunctional turf irrigation is both wasteful and inconsistent with the State’s policies regarding climate change, water conservation, and reduced reliance on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem.

Under the provisions of AB 1572, the use of potable water for irrigating turf that doesn’t serve recreational or community purposes would be prohibited. With respect to homeowners associations and common interest developments, the effective prohibition date is January 1, 2029. Nonfunctional turf is defined within the law as any turf that does not serve a functional purpose. This definition encompasses turf situated in street rights-of-way and parking lots. Functional turf is further defined as “a ground cover surface of turf located in a recreational use area or community space.” The Bill further defines the terms “community space” and “recreational use area.” Although the precise meaning of these terms has yet to be determined, the law indicates that it does not apply to residential lawns, playgrounds, picnic grounds, pet exercise areas, sports fields, or cemeteries.

AB 1572 carries significant implications for different property owners, with specific timelines for compliance. The provisions applicable to community properties are the following:

• Homeowners associations must transition to reclaimed water for nonrecreational or non-community space areas by 2029.

• Owners of properties with over 5,000 square feet of irrigated common area in homeowners associations and common interest developments must certify compliance starting on June 30, 2031, and every three years until 2040.

• The use of potable water is not prohibited to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial nonturf plantings, or to the extent necessary to address an immediate health and safety need.

If you have any questions regarding the effects this will have on your community or to get tips on how you can comply with the new law, reach out to your preferred landscape service provider.

Max Moreno is the VP of Water Conservation at Harvest Landscape Enterprises Inc. He has been professionally managing high-level projects in Southern California for over 15 years. He is a certified Water Manager Expert through the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA) and holds additional certifications as a Certified Landscape Irrigation Auditor and Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper and trainer.