Agenda Report
Fullerton City Council
MEETING DATE: october 20, 2026
TO: CITY COUNCIL
SUBMITTED BY: Stephen Bise, Director of Public Works
PREPARED BY: Delaney Felix, Water Quality Supervisor
Amanda Munoz, Water Quality Lead Worker
SUBJECT: IRRIGATION BAN ON NONFUNCTIONAL TURF municipal code amendmeNt
SUMMARY
California Water Code Section 10608.14 prohibits using potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turfgrass (turf) on commercial, industrial, institutional properties, HOA common areas and local government property and requires water suppliers to revise policies, ordinances and regulations to meet these requirements.
PROPOSED MOTION
Introduce Ordinance No. XXXX for first reading by title only and waive further reading of the ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. XXXX – AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FULLERTON, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING FULLERTON MUNICIPAL CODE CHAPTER 12.06 PERTAINING TO IRRIGATION BAN ON NONFUNCTIONAL TURF
ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS
Approve the Proposed Motion
Other options brought by City Council.
PRIORITY POLICY STATEMENT
This item matches the following Priority Policy Statement:
Fiscal and Organizational Stability.
FISCAL IMPACT
This municipal code amendment generates no fiscal impact. However, future indirect costs could occur if the City elects to replace nonfunctional turf on City‑owned property with alternative landscaping. Staff would include any landscape replacement project in the Capital Improvements Program (CIP) Budget in future years.
DISCUSSION
California Water Code Section 10608.14 strengthens long-term water resilience by reducing avoidable outdoor potable water use, while preserving irrigation needed for trees, perennial plantings, recreation, community spaces and health and safety needs.
California Water Code Section 10608.14 phases out potable water use to irrigate “nonfunctional” turf (NFT) on commercial, industrial, institutional and certain communitymanaged properties. NFT is turfgrass not used for recreation, gatherings or other regular human activity. The NFT irrigation ban occurs in stages January 1, 2027 for state and local government properties and most public agencies January 1, 2028 for commercial, industrial and institutional properties January 1, 2029 for common areas of homeowner associations and similar organizations 2031 or later for qualifying disadvantagedcommunity public properties if state funding not yet available.
These phased deadlines allow property owners time to adjust landscaping and irrigation systems.
California Water Code Section 10608.14 creates two near-term responsibilities Fullerton must address by January 1, 2027: 1) public water systems must revise regulations, ordinances or policies governing water service to include California Water Code Section 10608.14 requirements and 2) suppliers must communicate those requirements to customers.
The Water Division contracted with Environmental Incentives to assist with California Water Code Section 10608.14 and other state conservation regulation implementation. Environmental Incentives recommends amending Fullerton Municipal Code (FMC) Section 12.06.060 “Permanent water conservation requirements—Prohibition against waste” to include required ordinance language and amend FMC Section 12.06.020 “Definitions” to include required definitions. This offers the clearest and most integrated path to compliance. Adding the new requirement to FMC Section 12.06.060 would also make it easier for staff and customers to find and understand City water-use rules without creating a separate regulatory structure for nonfunctional turf. This approach uses an enforcement process already has in place in FMC Section 12.06.090 “Penalties, Violations, and Enforcement,” allowing the City to enforce with California Water Code Section 10608.14 in the same manner as other permanent water conservation requirements.
This framework supports leading enforcement with education. Staff can focus first on explaining the new requirements, answering questions and helping customers voluntarily comply with regulations while having an established path to address and escalate violations if they occur.
The proposed FMC amendment ensures compliance with State regulations and provides an enforceable tool to support outreach and education efforts. This amendment would guide affected properties toward compliance with nonfunctional turf requirements with staff working collaboratively property owners to communication expectations and resources available.
Attachments:
Attachment 1 – PowerPoint Presentation
Attachment 2 – Draft Ordinance XXXX
cc: City Manager Eddie Manfro
AB 1572 Municipal Code Update
October 20, 2026- Page 2