- Home
- Conservation
- HOAs & Businesses
- Non-Functional Turf FAQs
Non-Functional Turf FAQs
On March 28, 2022, Governor Newsom directed the State Water Board to consider adopting an emergency regulation to ban decorative grass watering (non-functional turf irrigation) in commercial, industrial, and institutional areas, including within HOAS. On March 24, 2023, Governor Newsom’s Executive Order retained a state of emergency for all 58 counties and maintained the ban on wasteful water uses, such as watering decorative grass on commercial properties. The Emergency Regulation to ban irrigation of non-functional turf with potable water has been in effect since June 2022.
Prohibition of Irrigating Non-Functional Turf
General Information
1. What is Non-Functional Turf?
The State’s emergency regulation defines “Non-functional Turf” as:
“[T]urf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events. Non-functional turf does not include sports fields and turf that is regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events.”
2. Who does the prohibition apply to?
The State’s emergency regulation prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf only at CII sites. The state’s emergency regulation defines CII as:
“[C]ommercial water users, industrial water users, and institutional water users as respectively defined in Water Code, section 10608.12, subdivisions (e), (i), and (j), and includes homeowner’s associations, common interest developments, community service organizations, and other similar entities but does not include the residences of these entities’ members or separate interests.”
3.Does the prohibition apply to residential properties?
No, per the State’s definition of CII, the prohibition does not apply to residential properties and residential customers may continue to irrigate turf, subject to CVWD’s demand reduction actions in effect. This prohibition does not include residential properties within a homeowner’s association.
4. If the prohibition only applies to potable water, what is potable water?
The prohibition only applies to CVWD customers that receive potable water through the domestic water system. Therefore, non-functional turf irrigated by private wells, recycled water, or canal water are not impacted by the State’s emergency regulation, or CVWD Resolution 2023-09.
5. Are there exceptions to the non-functional turf irrigation prohibition?
Yes, the prohibition does not apply to residential lawns, or any turf regularly used for human recreational purposes, such as community spaces, or sports fields and other turf spaces used for recreation or events. Also, the regulation does not ban the irrigation of trees or other non-turf plantings.
Additionally, turf may be exempt from the prohibition if the owner or manager demonstrates to CVWD that the turf meets two requirements established by the state, that 1) the turf species has a plant factor of 0.3 or less; and 2) the turf is irrigated in a way that uses low levels of water (less than 40% of reference evapotranspiration).
6. May I continue to water trees and other non-turf plantings planted among non-functional turf?
Yes, the emergency regulation allows for the continued irrigation of trees and non-turf plantings even if non-functional turf, such as turf directly under trees. While permitted, CVWD encourages all customers to review irrigation systems and install systems that are efficient and comply with CVWD’s Ordinance 1302.5 Landscape and Irrigation System Design Criteria. Customers may be eligible for rebates to offset a portion of the cost to upgrade irrigation systems.
7. How long is the prohibition in effect?
The emergency regulation is in effect as of June 10, 2022, and has been readopted through June 2024, unless the State Water Resources Board modifies it, readopts it, or ends it before then.
Impact to Homeowner’s Associations (HOAs) & HOA Residents
8. Does the prohibition apply to HOAs?
Yes, but only to non-functional turf on property that the HOA owns, not residences. An individual homeowner’s property is considered residential, whereas property owned and maintained by an HOA is considered the same as landscapes owned and maintained by CII. Therefore, the prohibition does not prevent homeowners from irrigating turf; it prohibits the irrigation of non-functional turf (with potable water) on property the HOA owns. However, the prohibition does not apply to turf that is regularly used for recreation and community activities.
9. Who decides if turf owned by the HOA is functional?
An HOA should review areas of turf that it maintains, consult with residents, and determine whether the turf is functional or not. CVWD may defer to the HOA’s determinations; however, CVWD retains the authority to enforce the irrigation ban if there is a documented violation. HOAs are encouraged to contact CVWD to request assistance with a site assessment.
10. Where can I report water waste violations?
You can report water waste violations directly to CVWD online using CVWD’s water waste form found cvwd.org/waterwaste. You may also report violations to the State Water Resources Control Board at SaveWater.CA.gov.
Enforcement
11. What action(s) is CVWD authorized to take to enforce the prohibition?
CVWD may enforce the prohibition by issuing warning letters or conservation orders, and imposing fines (up to $500 per day) for noncompliance.
12. Who will enforce the prohibition of irrigating non-functional turf?
CVWD will communicate the prohibition to affected customers. The state emergency regulation makes violations of the prohibition an infraction, which CVWD is authorized to enforce. In addition, anyone may report water waste, including irrigation of non-functional turf on a commercial, industrial, or institutional property to the State Water Resources Control Board at SaveWater.CA.gov. The SWRCB may use its enforcement authority to respond to violations of the emergency regulation.
Additional Resources
SWRCB Water Conservation Emergency Regulations
State Emergency Regulation Text