AB 1572
Non-Functional
Turf Irrigation
Regulations:
Amendment to
Napa Municipal Code
Chapter 13.09
September 15, 2026
8.A.
Assembly Bill 1572
2 Prohibits the use of potable (drinking) water for the irrigation of Non-Functional Turf on Commercial,
Industrial, and Institutional properties (excl. cemeteries) and HOA/Multi-Family Residential properties, beginning:
2027 for Government properties
2028 for other Institutional and all Commercial & Industrial 2029 for HOA and Apartment Complex common areas
Potable water use is allowed to ensure the health of
trees and other perennial non-turf plantings.
Single-Family Residential properties and properties
using Recycled Water are unaffected by AB 1572.
AB 1572 Origins
3 • Nevada’s AB 356 (2021)
Prohibits use of Colorado River water on non-functional turf by 2027 • California’s Water Supply Strategy: Adapting to a
Hotter, Drier Future (August 2022)
• Reduce reliance on Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta
• Strong backing by Metropolitan Water District of
Southern California (“Met”)
AB 1572 signed into law on October 13, 2023
California Constitution
Article X Section 2
4 The right to water or to the use or
flow of water in or from any natural
stream or water course in this State is
and shall be limited to such water as
shall be reasonably required for the
beneficial use to be served, and such
right does not and shall not extend to
the waste or unreasonable use
or
unreasonable method of use…
5 Key Definitions
(ae) “Turf” has the same meaning as defined in Section 491 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations:
a living ground cover surface of mowed grass
(u) “Nonfunctional turf” means any turf that is not
functional turf, and includes turf located within street rights-of-way and parking lots.
(m) “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 to permanently preclude human access for recreation or assembly is not functional turf.
6 Key Definitions (cont’d)
(aa) “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.
(j) “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.
7 Education/Awareness
(d) Public water systems… shall communicate the
requirements to their customers…
• Countywide Water Conservation Group
February 2026 Strategy Meeting, shared CalWEP resources • City Water meetings with Parks & Rec, County,
State, NVUSD staff re: turf areas affected next year
• Fall 2026: City Water notification letters to all
potentially affected customers, w/DWR NFT maps
• Dedicated web page, targeted bill inserts/messages,
business newsletters, special workshops
8 City Hall NFT Example
DWR 2020 Aerial Photos via CalWEP LAM Explorer (Eagle Aerial) 629 square feet of based on
…but ground-truthing shows DWR aerials missed NFT in NE and SE, miscategorized mulch as NFT at PD entrance. Biggest issue at site:
TREES!
(AB 1572’s tree health exemption in play)
9 10
AB 1572 does not require removal of non-functional
turf, but brown and weedy is not the goal:
Transformation is the goal.
11 City Compliance
(d) Public water systems shall, by no later than January 1, 2027, revise their regulations, ordinances, or policies governing water service to include the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b)… NMC Chapter 13.09 Water Conservation Regulations
Section 13.09.020 Definitions
Add five key AB 1572 definitions
• “Turf”, “Non-Functional Turf”, “Functional Turf”,
“Recreational Use Area”, “Community Space”
Section 13.09.030 Water waste prohibitions
Add new Item D prohibiting irrigation of non-functional turf in accordance with California Water Code Division 6 Part 2.55 Chapters 2 and 2.5
• Exception for irrigation zones that include trees dependent on the surrounding turf watering
Enforcement of all Water Waste Prohibitions:
EDUCATION Warning $100 $200 $500
12 This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY
Questions?
Recommended Action
September 15, 2026
13 • Approve the first reading and introduction
of an Ordinance 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
.