What you need to know about Assembly Bill 1572 and Homeowner Associations
Functional turf is defined as grass that is used for recreational purposes and civic or community events. This includes sports fields, parks, school grounds, golf courses, cemeteries, and pet exercise areas. Non- functional turf (NFT) is defined as decorative grass areas with no other functions and is primarily used for aesthetic purposes.
Understanding the difference between functional turf and NFT is crucial for water conservation efforts, as Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572) aims to conserve water by prohibiting the use of potable (drinkable) water for irrigating non- functional or ornamental turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) properties, including Homeowner Associations (HOAs).
The goals of AB 1572 are to promote water conservation, increase sustainable landscaping practices, build local groundwater supply resilience, and better prepare Californians for future statewide droughts.
To comply with AB 1572 by January 1, 2029, HOAs must permanently discontinue watering NFT in common areas or replace NFT with sustainable landscaping alternatives. The bill also authorizes water suppliers, like CVWD, to enforce provisions with fines. HOAs must also provide compliance reports to the State Water Resources Control Board every three years beginning June 30, 2031.
HOAs are encouraged to identify NFT areas in consultation with their homeowners and plan conversion projects over the coming years to meet the compliance deadline. CVWD staff are available to consult with HOAs to help identify NFT areas and discuss rebates to maximize funding available for HOA projects.
Exemptions from the law do exist for turf areas irrigated with recycled or non-potable water. Residential properties within HOAs are also exempt from the regulation.
To learn more, visit cvwd.org/NFT or contact [email protected].
