Winola Cheong, P .E.
Environmental Services Department (ESD)
Oct. 6, 2026
AB 1572:
Prohibition of Potable Water Use for
Nonfunctional Turf
2City of Sunnyvale – AB 1572 Compliance – Oct 2026
Enacted In 2023
Supports water conservation
Prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf Requires public water systems to update local regulations by January 1, 2027 Requirements phase in by property type:
Jan. 1, 2027 – State and local public agency properties Jan. 1, 2028 – Commercial, industrial, institutional (CII) properties Jan. 1, 2029 – Common areas of homeowners’ associations (HOAs) ‼ Individual residential properties are not subject to the prohibition What is Assembly Bill (AB) 1572?
3City of Sunnyvale – AB 1572 Compliance – Oct 2026
What is Nonfunctional Turf?
“Nonfunctional turf” refers to ornamental grass that is not in a recreational use area or in a community space.
Some examples are:
Decorative lawn along
building edges
Unused patches of
lawn near entries
Lawn in parking lots Sloped lawn areas
4City of Sunnyvale – AB 1572 Compliance – Oct 2026
“Functional turf” refers to ornamental grass in a recreational use area or in a community space.
Some examples are:
Sports fields for soccer, baseball, football, etc.
Parks and recreation areas where people play or gather Playgrounds with turf used for activities
Picnic areas where the lawn is regularly used
Golf courses
Cemeteries
What is Functional Turf?
Braly Park Picnic Area
5City of Sunnyvale – AB 1572 Compliance – Oct 2026
Nonfunctional turf can be brought
into compliance by:
• Converting to low-water-use
landscaping or water-wise gardens
• Replacing turf with mulch or other
appropriate non-turf landscaping
• Irrigating with recycled water,
where available
Options for Compliance
Water-wise landscaping and mulch at De Anza Park
6City of Sunnyvale – AB 1572 Compliance – Oct 2026
Sunnyvale Has Already Taken Actions
2007
Now
Replaced by mulch and
drought tolerant plants
Street Median along Fremont Ave.
7City of Sunnyvale – AB 1572 Compliance – Oct 2026
Sunnyvale Municipal Code Chapter 12.34 – Water Conservation Restrictions Existing code prohibits specified nonessential uses of water Proposed: Add potable water irrigation of nonfunctional turf as a prohibited use Incorporates AB 1572 requirements by reference to the California Water Code Proposed Code Update
(13) The use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf at commercial, industrial, institutional properties and common areas of homeowners’ association, common interest developments, and community service organizations in violation of California Water Code Section 10608.14. For the purpose of this section, nonfunctional turf shall have the definition set forth in Water Code Section 10608.12.
8City of Sunnyvale – AB 1572 Compliance – Oct 2026
Dedicated page on City website
Direct outreach via emails to:
Government agencies
School districts and County offices
Business and professional organizations
Internal Coordination:
Site assessments of City properties
Flyer distribution at Permit Center
Regional Partnership:
Postcards to commercial, industrial, and institutional sites Presentations to professional organizations
Outreach and Education
9City of Sunnyvale – AB 1572 Compliance – Oct 2026
Staff Recommendation
Approve the first reading and introduce an ordinance amending Chapter 12.34 Water Conservation Restriction to include AB 1572 requirements.
10City of Sunnyvale – Topic/Abbreviated Title – Month Year Questions?