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State of California Ban on Non-Functional Commercial Turf

Commercial, industrial, institutional non-functional turf must not be watered. Exceptions apply.

Post Date:06/27/2022 11:05 a.m.

Effective June 16, 2022, commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) non-functional turf must not be irrigated in California under recently adopted State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) regulations. Homeowners Associations’ common areas, unless it meets one of the other exemptions listed below, are included in this turf irrigation ban.

  • The State has defined non-functional turf as “turf that is solely ornamental and not regularly used for human recreational purposes or for civic or community events.”
  • The State Water Board’s regulation states that some turf areas are exempt from the turf irrigation ban. The CII turf may still be watered after June 10, 2022 if the property owner or account holder determines that one or more of the following is true:
    • The turf is used for human recreation, civic purposes, sports or play.
    • The turf is irrigated with recycled water.
    • The turf is irrigated with non-potable water (water that is not permitted for use as a drinking water supply).
    • The turf is on the same valve as at least one tree or perennial non-turf plantings.
    • The turf is at a residential location, not at a commercial, industrial, or institutional location. The exception to this is common areas in Homeowners’ Associations sites. Unless one of the above exemptions applies, HOA common areas are included in this turf irrigation ban.
  • This emergency regulation adopted under Water Code section 1058.5 may remain in effect for up to one year, unless rescinded earlier, or extended by the State Water Board.
  • Visit the State Water Board’s Water Conservation Emergency Regulations webpage for more information at bit.ly/conservationreg.

Please contact the City of Folsom, Water Conservation Division at waterconservation@folsom.ca.us or call (916) 461-6177 with any questions.

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