CALIFORNIA STATE – Some familiar patches of green around the Bay Area are approaching a deadline: California will soon prohibit watering certain decorative lawns with drinking water.
The first restrictions begin January 1, 2027. But before you start worrying about your front yard, there’s a major distinction: ordinary residential lawns are exempt, including those at individual homes within homeowners associations. Shared HOA landscaping, however, can fall under the ban. California’s official FAQ explains that difference.
The change comes from Assembly Bill 1572, which Gov. Gavin Newsom signed in October 2023. Its watering restrictions are rolling out over several years.
Which Lawns Are Affected?
The law targets what California calls “nonfunctional turf” — grass that isn’t in a recreational area or community gathering space…