California law targets lawns — here’s what it means for you

The El Dorado Irrigation District (EID/District) Board of Directors received an informational presentation today about a state law that restricts the use of drinking water to irrigate "nonfunctional turf" - mowed grass that serves no recreational or community purpose.

The law, Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572), passed by the California state legislature in 2023, prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, as well as common areas owned by homeowners' associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations.

Examples of non-functional turf include decorative strips of lawn along sidewalks, street medians, roundabouts, parking lot margins, and sloped unused areas.

The prohibitions will phase in starting January 1, 2027, for local and regional public agencies; January 1, 2028, for other institutional, commercial, and industrial properties, and January 1, 2029, for HOAs and similar entities.

AB 1572 states, "The use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf is wasteful and incompatible with state policy relating to climate change, water conservation, and reduced reliance on the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta ecosystem."

Turf used for recreation or community gatherings, residential single-family homes, and turf on cemeteries are not affected.

As a public water system, EID is required to update its own regulations to reflect AB 1572 and to notify customers of the new requirements.

District staff developed a new Administrative Regulation, written in plain language rather than simply restating the statute, to help customers understand what does and doesn't qualify as nonfunctional turf.

Staff have also reviewed EID-owned properties and confirmed the District is not currently using potable water to irrigate any nonfunctional turf.

"The law is another example of regulatory restrictions on how California uses its water, and EID wants to make the transition as clear as possible for customers it affects," said El Dorado Irrigation District General Manager Pravani Vandeyar. "We've written our administrative regulation so property owners can quickly tell whether it applies to them, and we'll be reaching out directly to customers, well ahead of each deadline, so no one is caught by surprise."

Over the coming months, EID will mail direct notices to affected property owners, publish a dedicated webpage explaining the requirements, and run an article in the District's Waterfront newsletter.

While EID is not required to enforce customer compliance with AB 1572, the District will provide notice, resources, and outreach to help customers understand and meet the new state requirements.