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CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
RIVERSIDE, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING CHAPTER 14.22 REGARDING WATER CONSERVATION.
The City Council of the City of Riverside does ordain as follows:
Section 1: Section 14.22.010 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 14.22.010 Unreasonable uses of water.
. . .
B. No person shall waste water or use it unreasonably. To prevent the waste and unreasonable use of water and to promote water conservation, each of the following actions is prohibited as an unreasonable use of water, except where necessary to address an immediate health and safety need or to comply with a term or condition in a permit issued by a state or federal agency:
1. The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes runoff such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures;
. . .
7. The irrigation with potable water of ornamental turf on public street medians; and; . . .”
Section 2: Section 1 4.22.015 of the Riverside Municipal Code entitled “ Irrigation of Nonfunctional Turf” is added as follows:
“Section 14.22.015 Irrigation of Nonfunctional Turf.
A. California Assembly Bill 1572 ( “AB 1572”), signed into law on October 13, 2023, prohibits the use of Potable Water to irrigate non-functional turf at all times on certain properties. AB 1 572 further requires the City to update its ordinances to include this prohibition.
B. The following definitions shall apply for the purposes of this section:
1. “Common area” means that portion of a common interest development or of a property owned or managed by a homeowners’ association or a community service organization or similar
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
entity that is not assigned or allocated to the exclusive use of the occupants of an individual dwelling unit within the property.
2. “Common interest development” means a community apartment project, a condominium project, a planned development, or a stock cooperative.
3. “Community service organization or similar entity” means a nonprofit entity, other than an association, that is organized to provide services to residents of the common interest development or to the public in addition to the residents, to the extent commu nity common area or facilities are available to the public. It does not include an entity that has been organized solely to raise moneys and contribute to other nonprofit organizations that are qualified as tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and that provide housing or housing assistance.
4. “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.
5. “Disadvantaged community” means a community with an annual median household income that is less than 80 percent of the statewide annual median household income.
6. “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.
7. “Homeowners’ association” means a nonprofit corporation or unincorporated association created for the purpose of managing a common interest development.
8. “Nonfunctional turf” means any turf that is not functional turf, and includes turf located within street rights-of-way and parking lots.
9. “Potable water” means water that is suitable for human consumption.
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
10. “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.
11. “Turf” has the same meaning as defined in Section 491 of Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations.
C. The use of potable water for the irrigation of nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, other than a cemetery, and on properties of homeowners' associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities is prohibited as of the following dates:
1. All properties owned by the California Department of General Services, beginning January 1, 2027.
2. All properties owned by local governments, local or regional public agencies, and public water systems, except those specified in paragraph (5), beginning January 1, 2027.
3. All other institutional properties and all commercial and industrial properties, beginning January 1, 2028.
4. All common areas of properties of homeowners' associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities, beginning January 1, 2029.
5. All properties owned by local governments, local public agencies, and public water systems in a disadvantaged community, beginning January 1, 2031, or the date upon which a state funding source is made available to fund conversion of nonfunctional turf on these properties to climate-appropriate landscapes, whichever is later.
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
D. Notwithstanding subdivision (C), the use of potable water is not prohibited by this section to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial nonturf plantings, or to the extent necessary to address an immediate health and safety need.
E. The State Water Resources Control Board may, upon a showing of good cause for reasons including economic hardship, critical business need, and potential impacts to human health or safety, postpone a compliance deadline in subdivision (C) by up to three years for certain persons, institutions, and businesses. Persons, institutions, and businesses in receipt of such an extension are exempt from the compliance dates in subdivision (C) and shall adhere to the compliance deadline provided by the State Water Resources Control Board.”
Section 3: Section 14.22.020(C) of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 14.22.020 Water Conservation Program.
C. Stage one conservation measures are voluntary , and will be encouraged through public outreach, education, and awareness measures by the City.” Section 4: Section 14.22.030(A) of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 14.22.030 Stage One – Normal water supply.
A. Stage One applies when the City can meet all of its water demands, butand declares, by resolution, that it has determined that certain conservation methods are warranted to preserve the existing water supply in the event that the City will be unable to meet future water demands with its local water supplies.”
Section 5: Section 14.22.040 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 14.22.040 Stage Two – Minimum water shortage.
A. Stage Two applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, a reasonable probability exists that the City will not be able to meet all of its water demands with its local water supplies, that other regional or statewide conditions warrant implementation, or the State of California orders implementation; or RPU faces an actual supply shortage of up to 15 percent, corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage levels 1 and 2.
B. Upon declaration of Stage Two by the City Council, and the following measures shall apply:
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3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all Stage One measures remain in effect but shall be mandatory, not voluntary.
. . .
3. Non-agricultural irrigation is limited as follows:
. . .
c. All automatic irrigation timers shall be adjusted according to irrigation time restrictions and changing weather patterns and shall completely eliminate runoffrunoff. . . .
4. All plumbing leaks, improperly adjusted sprinklers, or other water appurtenances requiring repair or adjustment shall be corrected to the satisfaction of the City within 72 hours of notification by the City. The City will attempt to contact customers by p hone, mail, email, or text, or printed "door- hanger" notice. All customers shall ensure that the City has current telephone contact information. . . .”
Section 6: Section 14.22.050(A) of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 14.22.050 Stage Three – Moderate water shortage.
A. Stage Three applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, a reasonable probability exists that the City will not be able to meet all of its water demands with its local water supplies, other regional or statewide conditions warrant implementation, or the State of California orders implementation; or RPU faces an actual supply shortage of 15—2015 to 20 percent, corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage levels 2 and 3.” Section 7: Section 14.22.060 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 14.22.060 Stage Four – Severe water shortage.
A. Stage Four applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, that the City's ability to meet its water demands with its local water supplies is seriously impaired; or RPU faces an actual supply shortage of 20—50 20 to 50 percent corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage levels 3, 4 and 5.
B. Upon declaration of Stage Four by the City Council, the following water conservation measures shall apply:
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
1. Except as otherwise provided in this section, all Stage One, Two, and Three conservation measures shall be in full force and effect during Stage Four, and Stage One measures shall be mandatory, not voluntary.
. . .
3. Non-agricultural irrigation shall be limited to supporting minimal survival of trees and shrubs. Trees and shrubs may be irrigated, only during the following designated hours and designated days:
a. Properties with odd number street addresses, parks, and public right-of-ways rights-of-way may irrigate only on Saturdays between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m. . . .”
Section 8: Section 14.22.070 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 14.22.070 Stage Five – Water shortage emergency.
A. Stage Five applies when the City Council declares, by resolution, that the City's ability to meet its water demands with its local water supplies is so seriously impaired that RPU faces an actual supply shortage of over 50 percent, corresponding to California Water Code Section 10632 shortage level 6; and
B. Upon declaration of a Water Shortage Emergency:
1. No new construction meters will be issued.
. . .
3. No new building permit(s) shall be issued, except:
a. Projects found by the City Council to be necessary for public health or, safety. . . .”
Section 9: Section 14.22.080 of the Riverside Municipal Code is amended as follows:
“Section 14.22.080 Enforcement and severability.
A. Any violation of this article may be subject to enforcement by issuance of an administrative citation pursuant to Chapter 1.17 of this Code. Prior to issuance of an administrative citation, the City shall give one courtesy notice requesting voluntary corre ction of the violation. The City Manager, or
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
his or her designee, may enter into a written agreement with a customer to resolve any violation , provided that such agreement is consistent with the purpose and intent of this chapter. . . .”
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Section 10: The City Council has reviewed the matter and, based upon the facts and information contained in the staff reports, administrative record, and written and oral testimony, hereby finds that this ordinance is not subject to review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines sections 15060, subdivision (c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) a nd 15061, subdivision (b)(3) (there is no possibility the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment). In addition to the foregoing general exemptions, the City Council further finds that this ordinance is categorically exempt from review under CEQA under the Class 8 Categorical Exemption (regulatory activity to assure the protection of the environment), CEQA Guidelines section 15308.
Section 11: The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this ordinance and cause publication once in a newspaper of general circulation in accordance with Section 414 of the Charter of the City of Riverside. This ordinance shall become effective on the 30th day after the date of its adoption.
ADOPTED by the City Council this _________ day of _____________, 2026.
___________________________
PATRICIA LOCK DAWSON
Mayor of the City of Riverside
Attest:
_____________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
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I, Donesia Gause , City Clerk of the City of Riverside, California, hereby certify that the foregoing ordinance was duly and regularly introduced and adopted at a meeting of the City Council on the _______ day of _______________, 2026, by the following vote, to wit:
Ayes:
Noes:
Absent:
Abstain:
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the official seal of the City of Riverside, California, this ________ day of ______________, 2026.
_________________________________
DONESIA GAUSE
City Clerk of the City of Riverside
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28 CITY ATTORNEY’S OFFICE
3750 UNIVERSITY AVE., STE. 250
RIVERSIDE, CA 92501
(951) 826-5567
313233 RMS 03/31/26