AB 1572 is California’s permanent phase-in ban on using potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on many commercial, industrial, institutional, and HOA properties. The old emergency decorative-grass ban expired on June 5, 2024, but the statutory deadlines in AB 1572 are still ahead, so this is not something smart owners should park for later.
The real question is not, “Do we have grass?” It is, “Which turf on this site do people actually use?” Under the statute, functional turf is turf in a recreational use area or community space. Nonfunctional turf is turf that is not functional, and the law specifically includes turf in parking lots and street rights-of-way.
At Landesign, we provide landscaping services Marin County property managers, HOAs, and commercial owners rely on, and AB 1572 is a law you need to be planning for now.
AB 1572 in Plain English
- Local government and public water system sites: Potable irrigation of nonfunctional turf is prohibited starting January 1, 2027, with later timing for certain disadvantaged-community properties.
- Commercial, industrial, and most institutional properties: The ban starts January 1, 2028.
- HOA common areas: The ban starts January 1, 2029. The statute defines common area as space not assigned to the exclusive use of one dwelling unit.
- Certification kicks in on larger sites: Covered CII properties with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated area begin certifying compliance on June 30, 2030. HOA-style properties with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated common area start June 30, 2031.
- There are narrow exceptions: The law allows water needed to protect trees and other perennial nongrass plantings, to handle an immediate health and safety need, and in some cases the board may postpone deadlines up to three years for good cause.
You can read the entire Assembly Bill on the California legislative information site.
What Counts as Nonfunctional Turf?
Usually, it is the grass nobody touches. Parking lot islands. Monument sign lawns. Perimeter strips behind fencing. Sidewalk ribbons. That is exactly the kind of turf AB 1572 is aimed at.
Under the law, functional turf is tied to real human use in recreation or community gathering space.
It’s not the goal to rip out every lawn without thinking. Dog runs, play lawns, picnic zones, and real event space can still deserve turf. Purely decorative grass usually does not.
What You Should Do Now
Now is the time to look at your property and start preparations:
Map Turf Area
Map out all of the area on your property that can be classified as turf. Separate active-use turf from ornamental turf by site.
Mark Water Sources and Control Zones
AB 1572 is about potable water on nonfunctional turf. Shared zones matter because the law still allows water needed to keep trees and perennial nongrass plants alive.
Remove Obvious Water Waste
Broken spray heads, overspray onto pavement, mixed hydrozones, and parking-lot strips are the fast wins.
Phase Conversion Work
Start with the least-used turf and the highest-water zones. Leave truly active lawn areas for the harder design conversations.
Check for Rebates Before Bidding
Many Californians may qualify for turf replacement rebates through their public water agency, and DWR has also rolled out turf-replacement help aimed at businesses and institutions.
Where Owners Can Get Confused
The first mistake is waiting. Public water systems have to update their water-service rules by January 1, 2027, and communicate those requirements to customers by then. Owners are likely to hear about this from their supplier before their own deadline arrives.
The second mistake is thinking 5,000 square feet is the whole law. It is not.
The ban phases in by property type under subdivision (a). The 5,000-square-foot number is tied to the certification requirement in subdivision (e).
The third mistake is replacing thirsty lawn with another high-maintenance planting plan. California’s AB 1572 language points owners toward converting nonfunctional turf to native vegetation, and Save Our Water pushes water-wise and native choices because they cut demand.
Get Ahead of AB 1572 with Landesign
The properties that start planning for AB 1572 now will have more options, fewer surprises, and a much easier path to compliance.
Landesign Construction & Maintenance, Inc. works with HOAs, commercial sites, and institutional properties across the North Bay to evaluate turf, review irrigation, and build practical conversion plans that fit the property. If you want a clear plan instead of guesswork for your landscape maintenance in Marin County, talk with our team.
We’ll help you sort out what stays, what needs to change, and how to phase the work without creating bigger problems.
Reach out to our landscaping professionals today:
📞 Call us at: (707) 578-2657
FAQ
Does AB 1572 apply to HOA private yards?
Usually no, because the statute is written around common areas. It applies to HOA and common interest development common areas, and the law defines common area as space not assigned to the exclusive use of one dwelling unit.
Still, shared irrigation can blur the lines. Boards should review who controls the area and what valve feeds it.
Does AB 1572 ban all grass?
No. It bans potable irrigation of nonfunctional turf on covered properties, not all turf. Turf in recreational use areas or community spaces is functional under the statute.
What if the turf is helping nearby trees survive?
The law allows potable water to the extent necessary to protect trees and other perennial nongrass plantings. It also allows water needed for an immediate health and safety need.
Does AB 1572 apply if we use recycled water?
This statute is aimed at potable water. The Water Code separately defines potable water and recycled water, so owners need to look at water source, local supplier rules, and site design before assuming they are clear.
COO
John “JJ” Fitzgerald is the Chief Operating Officer of Landesign Construction & Maintenance, a leading commercial landscaping firm in Northern California. Raised in the family business, he has spent over a decade applying his expertise in business management and analytics to foster innovation within the company. A graduate of Cal Poly–San Luis Obispo, his writing focuses on the intersection of modern business strategy and traditional craftsmanship, particularly how sustainable technology can reshape the future of legacy industries. He lives in the Bay Area with his family.