City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: October 27, 2026
Agenda Item: 4.D
1 of 7
To: Mayor and City Council
From: Christopher Dishlip, Director of Public Works, Water Resources Division Subject: Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance Adding Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 7.16.025 to Prohibit Potable Water Use for Nonfunctional Turf Irrigation in Compliance with AB 1572
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15301 (Minor Alteration or Operational Change to Landscaping), Section 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources) and 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment) and a finding of no possibility of significant impact pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines; and
2. Introduce for first reading the attached ordinance creating Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 7.16.025, Prohibition on Use of Potable Water to Irrigate Nonfunctional Turf, to prohibit potable water irrigation of nonfunctional turf as required by AB 1572.
Summary
California Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572) requires public water systems to prohibit the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf (NFT) on commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) properties, homeowners' associations (HOAs), common interest developments (CIDs), and community service organizations. Signed into law on October 13, 2023, AB 1572 is incorporated into California Water Code section 10608.14.
To comply with AB 1572 and the California Water Code section 10608.14, public water suppliers must revise their ordinances, regulations, or policies by January 1, 2027, to 2 of 7
prohibit the use of potable water to irrigate NFT and communicate these new requirements to their customers. Failure to comply could result in regulatory penalties.
The attached ordinance creates Santa Monica Municipal Code (SMMC) Section
7.16.025, Prohibition on Use of Potable Water to Irrigate Nonfunctional Turf, to prohibit potable water irrigation of NFT in compliance with AB 1572. Adoption of the ordinance would also support and strengthen the City’s ongoing water conservation efforts to reduce the City’s reliance on imported water supplies.
Discussion
Water conservation has long been a critical priority in the City of Santa Monica (City), driven by recurring droughts, the impacts of climate change on the City’s water supply, and the need to reduce the City’s reliance on imported water supplies. Investing in and increasing water conservation efforts across the City was one of three key components outlined in the City’s 2018 Sustainable Water Master Plan to reduce the City’s reliance on imported water supplies. Over the past two decades, California has enacted several landmark legislations and policies to reduce water consumption and ensure sustainable water management across the state. Among these is Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572), signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 13, 2023. AB 1572 builds on prior conservation efforts, including the Making Conservation a California Way of Life initiative established under Senate Bill 606 and Assembly Bill 1668 in 2018.
AB 1572 specifically addresses the use of potable water to irrigate NFT, which is generally considered an inefficient use of drinking water. Eliminating potable water irrigation of NFT supports the state’s efforts to reduce urban water demand, preserve critical water supplies, and address the impacts of climate change on California’s water resources.
NFT refers to decorative grass areas that do not serve a recreational or community purpose, such as turf in street medians, business parks, or office landscapes. Certain turf areas are exempt from the definition of NFT, including parks, sports fields, 3 of 7
cemeteries, parkways with pedestrian traffic, turf irrigated with recycled water, and turf where irrigation is necessary to maintain the health of trees.
AB 1572 applies to CII properties, as well as common areas in HOAs, CIDs, and community service organizations. The law does not apply to single-family residences or apartment buildings not governed by an HOA.
AB 1572 establishes a phased statewide prohibition on the use of potable water to irrigate NFT:
• January 1, 2027: Applies to properties owned by local governments, local or regional public agencies, and public water systems.
• January 1, 2028: Extends to all other CII properties, including those in disadvantaged communities.
• January 1, 2029: Applies to common areas of HOAs, CIDs, and community service organizations.
• January 1, 2031: Extends to public properties in disadvantaged communities, contingent on the availability of state funding for turf conversion programs.
In addition to prohibiting potable water irrigation of NFT, AB 1572 requires public water agencies to update their local ordinances, regulations, or policies by January 1, 2027, and notify customers of the requirements.
Accordingly, staff is proposing the attached ordinance to create SMMC 7.16.025 to prohibit the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf. Adoption of the ordinance is necessary for the City to comply with AB 1572 and avoid potential penalties. The ordinance would also enhance the City’s water conservation efforts to protect the local water supply while supporting the long-term sustainability of the state’s water resources.
Public Outreach and Support
4 of 7
Water Resources has initiated the following actions to support customer compliance with AB 1572:
• Outreach: Staff is working with the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD) and Santa Monica College (SMC) to help them understand AB 1572 and how it applies to their facilities. Outreach to CII and HOA customers would provide information about AB 1572 requirements and compliance through social media, email, mailers, local newspaper publications, bill notifications, and presentations to neighborhood associations, the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown Santa Monica (DTSM).
• Turf Replacement Rebates: The City’s Cash for Grass rebate was recently increased from $3.50 to $5.00 per square foot of turf grass that is removed and replaced with sustainable landscaping, such as low-water-using plants on drip irrigation. The maximum rebate per customer account was also increased from $10,000 to $50,000. These enhanced rebate amounts provide an additional incentive for customers to remove NFT.
• Landscape Surveys — One Acre or More: As a member agency of the Metropolitan Water District (MWD), Santa Monica offers CII and HOA customers with more than one acre of landscaped area access to MWD’s free landscape survey program. These surveys can help customers identify NFT and provide recommendations for its removal.
• Landscape Surveys — Less Than One Acre: A request for proposals (RFP) would soon be released for a professional vendor to conduct landscape surveys of properties with less than one acre of landscaped area. The surveys would help customers identify NFT and provide recommendations for its removal. • NFT Website: The California Water Efficiency Partnership (CalWEP), a nonprofit network and support organization of which the City is a member, provides customers with free educational and support materials on NFT, AB 1572, and compliance through its website, www.nonfunctionalturfca.org. 5 of 7
• City Staff Support: The water conservation and administrative staff in the Water Resources Division are available to answer customer questions about NFT and provide guidance on complying with AB 1572.
City-Owned Landscape Compliance
Water Resources and Public Landscape Division staff are surveying all City-owned properties with landscaped areas to identify NFT and determine the actions needed to comply with AB 1572. As required by AB 1572, all potable water irrigation of NFT on City-owned properties will be eliminated by January 1, 2027.
Impact on Water Demand
Initial estimates indicate approximately 650,000 square feet of NFT is present at CII and HOA properties served by the City. Replacing this NFT with sustainable landscaping could reduce the City’s overall water demand by approximately 65 acre-feet per year (or roughly 21 million gallons per year). However, these water savings would not be fully realized until after 2029, when all CII and HOA customers are required to comply with AB 1572.
Environmental Review
Staff has performed a preliminary environmental assessment of this project and has determined that it falls within the categorical exemption set forth in Section 15301 (minor alteration or operational change of existing landscaping/irrigation systems without expanding its use), Section 15307 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of Natural Resources), Section 15308 (Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment), and Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. The proposed ordinance implements State mandates to restrict the use of drinking water for nonfunctional turf, which promotes water conservation and, in turn, protection of natural resources and the environment. It can also be seen with certainty that the adoption of the ordinance will not have a significant adverse effect on the environment. 6 of 7
Furthermore, staff has determined that none of the exceptions to categorical exemptions set forth in the CEQA Guidelines, section 15300.2 apply to this project.
Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
1/27/2015
(Attachment A)
Adoption of an Ordinance modifying SMMC 7.16 to enhance water conservation regulations (Water Shortage Response Plan)
5/23/2017
(Attachment B)
Adoption of an Ordinance modifying SMMC 7.16 to enhance water conservation regulations (Water Neutrality)
11/27/2018
(Attachment C)
Sustainable Water Master Plan Update and Pathway to Water Self-Sufficiency
6/14/2022
(Attachment D)
Adoption of an Ordinance modifying SMMC 7.16 to enhance water conservation regulations (outdoor watering restrictions).
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
There is no immediate fiscal impact or budget action necessary as a result of the recommended action. The ordinance itself fulfills the state-mandated requirement to prohibit the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf (NFT) and aligns with AB 1572 and Water Code § 10608.14.
However, the City may incur future costs associated with supporting compliance with AB 1572, including increased rebate payments, removal of NFT from City-owned properties, and public outreach and education. Any future funding requests will be brought to City Council for consideration and approval through the City’s standard budget and financial review processes.
7 of 7
Prepared By: Sunny Wang, Water Resources Manager
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. January 27, 2015 Staff Report (web link)
B. May 23, 2017 Staff Report (web link)
C. November 27, 2018 Staff Report (web link)
D. June 14, 2022 Staff Report (web link)
E. ORD - Prohibiting Potable Water for Nonfunctional Turf Irrigation 10.27.26