Pasadena Water and Power
DIRECT THE CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO PREPARE
AN ORDINANCE WITHIN 60 DAYS AMENDING CHAPTER
13.10 OF THE PASADENA MUNICIPAL CODE TO
INCLUDE NONFUNCTIONAL TURF WATERING
REGULATIONS IN THE “DEFINITIONS” AND THE
“PERMANENT WATER CONSERVATION
REQUIREMENTS” SECTIONS
August 25, 2026
Item #1
Pasadena Water and Power
Background
• AB 1572 prohibits potable water use for
irrigating nonfunctional turf (NFT) on
commercial, industrial, institutional (CII)
properties, and homeowner associations
(HOAs)
• Required by January 1, 2027: Water suppliers
must revise policies and communicate with
customers
• Adoption of this ordinance ensures regulatory
compliance and reduces potable water
usage on decorative grass
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What is Nonfunctional Turf?
• Nonfunctional turf
(NFT) refers to
decorative grass
areas that do not
serve a recreational or
community purpose,
such as turfgrass
(lawn) in street
medians, parking lots,
business parks, or
office landscapes.
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What is Nonfunctional Turf?
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Exemptions
> Tree Irrigation
> Public Parks
> Cemeteries
> Health/Safety Need
5 Pasadena Water and Power
Water-Use Compliance Deadlines
• January 1, 2027: Applies to all properties owned by
the Department of General Services, local
governments, local or regional public agencies, and
public water systems, except those located in
disadvantaged communities.
• January 1, 2028: Extends to all other CII properties. • January 1, 2029: Applies to common areas of HOAs,
common interest developments, community service
organizations, or similar entities.
• January 1, 2031: Extends to public properties in
disadvantaged communities, contingent on the
availability of state funding for turf conversion
programs.
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Self-Certification State Requirements
• Property owners with >5,000 sq. ft. of
irrigated area must certify compliance
with the State Water Resources Control
Board beginning in 2030
> CII Properties – certification begins in 2030,
continues every 3 years until 2039
> HOAs – certification begins in 2031,
continues every 3 years until 2040
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Ensuring Alignment with State
Compliance and Enforcement
• State processes still in development
> Self-certification process to the State
Water Resources Control Board
> State enforcement process and penalties
• Local ordinance provides flexibility
> Allows for local enforcement as needed
and consistency with State processes as
developed
> Avoids duplication of enforcement
8 Pasadena Water and Power
Continuing Outreach and Education
• Workshops for
commercial and
HOA customers
• Flyers
• Bill inserts
• Educational
webpage
• Inter-Departmental
Collaboration
9 Pasadena Water and Power
We are All in this Together:
Commercial Customer Programs
10 • Landscape Transformation
(Turf Replacement Program)
• Large Landscape Surveys
• Device Rebate Programs
> Landscaping Equipment
> Plumbing Fixtures
> And more
• Water Savings
Incentive Program
PWPweb.com/SaveWater
Pasadena Water and Power
Recommendation
1. Find that the action proposed herein is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act
("CEQA") pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section
15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for the Protection of Natural Resources) and there are no features that
distinguish the action from others in the exempt classes, and therefore, there are no unusual circumstances, and
no other exception to the exemption applies; and
2. Direct the City Attorney to prepare and return with an ordinance within 60 days that amends Chapter 13.10 of
the Pasadena Municipal Code (“PMC”) to include
nonfunctional turf watering regulations in the “Definitions” and the “Permanent Water Conservation Requirements”
sections, as required by State Law and as described in this Agenda Report.
11 Pasadena Water and Power
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