ORDINANCE O2026-__
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NAPA, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, amending Napa Municipal Code CHAPTER 13.09 WATER CONSERVATION REGULATIONS IN ACCORDANCE WITH ASSEMBLY BILL 1572 NON-FUNCTIONAL TURF IRRIGATION REGULATIONS AND DETERMINING THAT THE ACTIONS AUTHORIZED BY THIS ORDINANCE ARE EXEMPT FROM CEQA.
WHEREAS, Article X, Section 2 of the California Constitution requires that water resources be put to the most beneficial uses and that the waste or unreasonable use of water be prevented; and WHEREAS, the City has long recognized the importance of water conservation in maintaining and enhancing water supply reliability, and is committed to meeting its Urban Water Use Objective in compliance with “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life” regulations for long-term urban water use efficiency; and WHEREAS, California Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572), signed into law on October 13, 2023, prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf on certain properties, and requires the City to revise its regulations, ordinances, or policies to include AB 1572 requirements by January 1, 2027; and WHEREAS, Napa Municipal Code Chapter 13.09 (“Water Conservation Regulations”) contains previously adopted Water Waste Prohibitions with an established legal framework and enforcement provisions familiar to staff and customers; and WHEREAS, the City Council has considered all information related to this matter, as presented at the public meeting of the City Council identified herein, including any supporting reports by City Staff, and any information provided during public meetings; and WHEREAS, the City Council hereby finds that the facts and findings set forth in the recitals to this Ordinance accurately reflect the findings and determinations of the City Council, and form the basis for adoption of this Ordinance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the City Council of the City of Napa as follows:
SECTION 1. Amendment. Napa Municipal Code Chapter 13.09 (“Water Conservation Regulations”) is hereby amended as follows:
Section 13.09.020 (“Definitions”) is amended to include the following additional definitions:
“Community Space”
means an area designated by a property owner or a governmental agency to accommodate human foot traffic for civic, ceremonial, or other community events or social gatherings. “Functional Turf”
means a ground cover surface of turf located in a recreational use area or community space. Turf enclosed by fencing or other barriers that permanently preclude human access for recreation or assembly is not functional turf. “Non-Functional Turf”
means any turf that is not functional turf, and includes turf located within street rights-of-way and parking lots. “Recreational Use Area”
means an area designated by a property owner or a governmental agency to accommodate human foot traffic for recreation, including, but not limited to, sports fields, golf courses, playgrounds, picnic grounds, or pet exercise areas. This recreation may be either formal or informal. “Turf”
means a living ground cover surface of mowed grass.
Section 13.09.030 (“Water waste prohibitions”) is amended to include the following additional item:
D. No Person shall use Water to irrigate Non-Functional Turf in accordance with the definitions, affected properties, and enforcement timelines contained in California Water Code Division 6 Part 2.55 Chapters 2 and 2.5, as may be amended from time to time.
Exceptions are granted for irrigation zones that include trees and other perennial non-turf plantings dependent on the surrounding turf watering, and to the extent necessary to address an immediate health and safety need.
SECTION 2. CEQA. The City Council finds that adoption of this ordinance is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Sections 15307 and 15308 which exempt regulatory actions taken by the City to assure the maintenance, restoration, or enhancement of a natural resource or protection of the environment.
SECTION 3: Severability. If any section, sub-section, subdivision, paragraph, clause or phrase in this Ordinance, or any part thereof, is for any reason held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections or portions of this Ordinance or any part thereof. The City Council hereby declares that it would have passed each section, sub-section, subdivision, paragraph, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance, irrespective of the fact that any one or more sections, sub-sections, subdivisions, paragraphs, sentences, clauses or phrases may be declared invalid or unconstitutional.
SECTION 4: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective thirty (30) days following adoption.
City of Napa, a municipal corporation
MAYOR: _______________________________
ATTEST: _______________________________
CITY CLERK OF THE CITY OF NAPA
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF NAPA SS:
CITY OF NAPA
I, Tiffany Carranza, City Clerk of the City of Napa, do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance had its first reading and was introduced during the public meeting of the City Council on the 15th day of September, 2026, and had its second reading and was adopted and passed during the public meeting of the City Council on the ___ day of ____, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: __________________________
Tiffany Carranza
City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
________________________
Renee Giacomini Brewer
City Attorney
O2026-__ Page 2 of 4 September 15, 2026
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