Santa Rosa outlines phased implementation and enforcement challenges for AB 15 72 nonfunctional‑turf ban
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Summary
Santa Rosa Water staff briefed the subcommittee on AB 15 72, explaining staged deadlines (beginning 01/01/2027), the law’s definition of nonfunctional turf, exceptions (trees, artificial turf), enforcement pathways (local ordinance amendments and state fines of up to $1,000/day), and costs/rebate limitations that may make compliance difficult for some commercial and HOA accounts.
Lisa Cuellar, Santa Rosa’s water use efficiency coordinator, told the Water Conservation Subcommittee that AB 15 72 — described in the presentation as signed into law in 2023 — prohibits irrigation of nonfunctional turf on specified account types and has a staged implementation schedule beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
Cuellar said the law targets irrigated, mowed lawns that are purely decorative (not used for recreation or gatherings) and is phased so that state entities and local government obligations begin in 2027, commercial and industrial properties follow in subsequent years, and HOAs and common interest developments have later deadlines. She noted artificial turf is excluded from the statute’s definition.
Staff emphasized practical challenges of applying the rule at a parcel level: trees and perennial plantings may require irrigation; narrow strips, medians and inaccessible ornamentals are likely candidates for nonfunctional designation; and property managers or HOAs with multi‑jurisdictional portfolios want consistent regional messaging. Cuellar said the regulation makes an exception for established trees when irrigation is needed to maintain tree health, but recommended separating tree irrigation zones from turf zones where possible.
On enforcement, Cuellar said the city will need to update its water waste ordinance by Jan. 1, 2027 to reflect AB 15 72 compliance and noted local enforcement typically follows a multi‑step notification process with civil penalties that “cap out at $500 per violation,” while the State Water Board may levy civil penalties up to $1,000 per day. She described Santa Rosa’s enforcement approach as complaint‑based and focused on education and assistance, with rare use of service shutoffs after repeated nonresponse.
Board members raised affordability and equity concerns. Board Member Mullen and others noted retrofit costs widely exceed the current rebate level: commercial retrofit costs were discussed in the meeting as typically $6–$11 per square foot while the cash‑for‑grass rebate is $1 per square foot with a $10,000 annual cap per meter and a 10,000‑sq.‑ft. rebate cap. Staff said the utility submitted a US Bureau of Reclamation grant application (about $360,000) to potentially increase rebate funding and help commercial customers comply.
Members also asked about protecting trees, the risk of landscapes simply being abandoned to “hardscapes,” and how the city will coordinate outreach across jurisdictions and with the landscaping and property management sectors. Cuellar highlighted partnerships (California Water Efficiency Partnership, Russian River Watershed Association, Sonoma Marin Saving Water Partnership) and described recent public workshops for landscapers and property managers — including a local “Turfs Up” event with strong attendance — as initial steps.
Next steps: staff will prepare a draft ordinance update, continue outreach and workshops, coordinate with legal counsel on enforcement language, and track pending state guidance on self‑certification procedures for large sites.
