Nonfunctional turf refers to an irrigated lawn that is purely decorative (ornamental) and not regularly used for recreation or public gatherings. Nonfunctional turf does not include school fields, sports fields, and areas regularly used for civic or community events.

The ban only applies to irrigation of nonfunctional turf in the commercial, industrial and institutional sectors and only applies to irrigation with potable water. It does not apply to residential lawns or any turf that is regularly used for human recreational purposes, such as community spaces, or sports fields and other turf spaces used for recreation or events. The regulation does not ban the irrigation of trees or other non-turf plantings.

Learn more about nonfunctional turf and access resources on the CalWEP Nonfunctional Turf Web Portal 

The regulation does not restrict the watering of trees, just turf. Although most mature trees often require little to no irrigation, some species do. Please continue to water trees, even while reducing or stopping the irrigation of turf. Trees that are just getting established may need to be watered more frequently, including hand watering. Trees near or on non-functional turf could be impacted by some responses to the ban on turf irrigation, but the regulation allows continued irrigation of trees even if turf, such as turf under trees, will receive water. For more information about tree species and watering needs, visit Urban Forestry Caring for Your Trees.

Considerations for irrigating trees in nonfunctional turf areas

• Adjust irrigation systems to water only the area under the tree canopy and/or groups of clustered tree canopies to avoid unintentionally watering surrounding nonfunctional turf. 
• Move/isolate trees to their own irrigation valve. 
• Cap or turn off spray nozzles not directly watering tree canopy areas.
• Convert overhead spray zones to drip irrigation in tree canopy areas.
• Consider replacing nonfunctional turf surrounding trees with low water-use shrubs and plantings.

CalWEP Caring for Trees

Best Practices for Existing Trees During Lawn Conversion

Landscape irrigation can account for up to 65% of water use in the Sacramento Valley. Converting non-functional turf to water-wise landscaping can reduce water use and potentially lower your water bill. Visit the climate-ready landscaping page for information on plant choice and a list of climate-ready landscaping resources.

Water-Wise Landscape Plans for Mow Strips

• California Native Plants
• California Native Meadow
• Valley-Wise (plants adapted to the Woodland/Davis area)
• Saline Alkaline Soils (for high pH soils)

The UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden Planting Plans

• Low Maintenance Planting Plan
• California Native Planting Plan
• Wildlife Planting Plan
• Arboretum All-Star Planting Plan

Climate-Ready Gardening Toolkit

Lawn Alternatives Quick Reference Guide

Beginning January 1, 2027, the use of potable (drinking) water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on properties owned by public schools and universities as well as public properties owned and maintained by a government entity will be prohibited. Nonfunctional turf is turf (lawn) that is ornamental and not regularly used for recreation or public gatherings. Nonfunctional turf does not include school fields, sports fields, and areas regularly used for civic or community events.

Public properties and educational institutions include:

• government buildings
• libraries
• public utilities
• public schools and universities
• streets and highways
• police and fire stations

NFT resources for educational institutions

NFT resources for public properties

By January 1, 2028, the law will prohibit the use of potable (drinking) water to irrigate nonfunctional turf (lawns) that serve no recreational or community purpose at commercial and industrial properties (including but not limited to office buildings, gas stations, restaurants, banks, hotels, stores, hospitals and religious institutions).

Examples of nonfunctional turf (lawn) areas include, but are not limited to:

• narrow lawn strips in or around parking lots
• decorative lawn along sidewalks, building edges or fences
• lawn between buildings with no seating, access or activity
• lawn in medians, roundabouts or entry signage areas
• slopes or oddly shaped areas that are hard to use or water efficiently

NFT resources for commercial and industrial properties

NFT fact sheet for commercial and industrial properties

The regulation applies to HOAs but only to non-functional turf on property the homeowners’ association (HOA) owns, not residences. While an individual’s property is considered residential, property owned and maintained by an HOA is considered the same as landscapes owned and maintained by commercial or institutional entities. This means that the regulation does not prevent homeowners from irrigating turf; it prohibits the irrigation of non-functional turf (with potable water) on property an HOA owns. However, the regulation does not ban the irrigation of turf used for recreation or community activities.

An HOA should review areas of turf that it maintains, consult with residents, and determine whether the turf is functional or not. Water suppliers may defer to HOAs’ determinations that specific areas of turf are used for recreation or community events.

HOA common areas resources

HOA steps for getting started