khairil77/Depositphotos
Las Vegas is saying goodbye to “useless” grass
Nevada’s Assembly Bill 356 is reshaping the Las Vegas Valley, and the deadline is now close enough to feel real. The rule targets “nonfunctional turf,” meaning decorative grass that people do not actually use. Think entry medians, office park lawns, and HOA “green carpets” by the street.
This is not about banning all lawns everywhere. Single-family home lawns are treated differently, and real play fields have clearer protections. The big shift is for community, commercial, and multi-family landscapes that still drink water like it’s the Midwest.
Depositphotos
The two dates everyone needs to know
Nonfunctional, decorative grass must be removed by December 31, 2026, across the Southern Nevada Water Authority service area. And it is not just a suggestion, it is tied to the region’s water rules.
Depositphotos
What counts as nonfunctional turf
Nonfunctional turf is grass that is basically scenery. It shows up in medians, traffic circles, streetscapes, and the decorative strips outside shopping centers. You see it at office parks, apartment complexes, and HOA entrances where nobody is tossing a football.
Functional turf is the opposite: grass that supports recreation or real public use. That is why parks, schools, and play areas are usually discussed differently. AB 356 also allows waivers or extensions in some cases, so the definition matters a lot.
Depositphotos
Who has to rip it out
If you manage a business property, an office park, a multi-family complex, or an HOA, you are in the center of this story. Local agencies have been pushing owners to start planning now because contractors and timelines get tight as deadlines approach…