Less Lawn. More Savings.

California's nonfunctional turf requirements apply to commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, public agency landscapes, and common areas managed by homeowner associations, common interest developments, community service organizations, and similar organizations. This law doesn’t apply to residential properties. 

Properties subject to the law must discontinue using drinking water to irrigate nonfunctional turf by their applicable compliance date.

The compliance date is the date by which drinking water can no longer be used to irrigate nonfunctional turf. Landscape conversion doesn’t have to be completed by that date, but early action is recommended to give time to plan and make changes at a comfortable pace.

Trees should continue to be protected during the transition. When planning irrigation or landscape changes, develop a strategy that allows existing trees to receive the water they need without continuing to irrigate the surrounding nonfunctional lawn.

Potential alternatives include low-water native and water-wise plants, flowering shrubs, rain gardens, bioswales, paths, benches, and shaded gathering or seating areas.

The change is intended to reduce the use of drinking water on ornamental lawn that does not serve a recreational or community function, while preserving green spaces that provide a meaningful purpose and encouraging more efficient water use.