Drought is a way of life in California, and periods of drought are becoming more frequent and intense as the climate continues to warm. By transforming areas of lawn that serve no purpose into water-wise landscapes, California can save millions…
Public properties owned or managed by local governments, including public school districts, must stop irrigating nonfunctional turf with potable water by January 1, 2027.
January 1, 2027 - Public properties owned or managed by local governments, including public school districts January 1, 2028 - Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties January 1, 2029 - Common areas managed by homeowner associations, common interest development, and community…
Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties (offices, retail centers, schools, hospitals, etc.), common areas of HOAs, and public agency landscapes (parks, civic campuses, medians) are all required to comply with the new rules.
Nonfunctional lawn refers to an irrigated lawn that is purely decorative and not regularly used for recreation or public gatherings. If the landscaper is the only person who ever walks on the lawn, it's likely nonfunctional.