Nonfunctional Turf (NFT) Watering Prohibition

Using Potable Water on Nonfunctional Turf (NFT) is Prohibited

To support policies related to water conservation, the California State Legislature passed Assembly Bill 1572. This law prohibits using potable (drinking) water to irrigate nonfunctional turf (grass) at public properties, commercial, industrial and institutional properties, and the common areas at common interest developments (CID) like homeowner associations (HOA), mobile home parks, and senior communities.  

It also requires water agencies adopt local restrictions. The SFPUC’s nonfunctional turf restriction applies to properties in San Francisco and to those served by retail water service connections located outside of the City.  The SFPUC’s restriction is Rule 17 of its Water Efficient Irrigation Ordinance Rules and Regulations. 

What is nonfunctional turf (grass)?

Nonfunctional turf is grass in public, commercial or common areas of large residential complexes that is not used for recreational purposes and is only accessed for mowing or maintenance. Decorative grass located in parking lots, around businesses and street medians and turf that is enclosed by fencing to prevent access for recreation is considered nonfunctional.  

This law does not apply to:

• Cemeteries
• Active use areas of parks, sports fields, golf courses, and cemeteries
• Single-family and small multi-family homes
• Areas within an HOA complex that are assigned to the exclusive use of an individual dwelling unit
• Areas of turf used to ensure the health of trees and other perennial plantings
• Areas irrigated with recycled water

Resources

• The SFPUC provides free landscape evaluations, grants for major landscape and irrigation upgrades that could include turf replacement, and rebates for irrigation controllers, rain barrels and laundry-to-landscape kits.
• The California Water Efficiency Partnership provides guidance on how to identify and replace nonfunctional turf

Compliance and Reporting Deadlines

Properties subject to AB 1572 must comply by the dates below. Properties with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated area must certify their compliance annually with the California State Water Resources Control Board.

SFPUC customers out of compliance may be subject to enforcement that could include fines on their water bill, installation of flow restriction devices, injunctions, or other actions as deemed appropriate.

FOR MORE INFOMRATION

Contact the SFPUC Water Conservation Section at waterconservation@sfwater.org.