Sunnyvale enacts potable-water ban for nonfunctional turf
Sunnyvale Environmental Services Department, California · Meeting date: October 27, 2026 · Published: October 28, 2026
Sunnyvale City Council has adopted Ordinance No. 3261-26, amending its water conservation restrictions to prohibit potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf. The measure implements California’s AB 1572.
Key points
- Council approved Ordinance No. 3261-26 as part of its consent calendar, on a 7-0 vote.
- The ordinance amends Chapter 12.34 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code, under Title 12 governing water and sewer.
- The new restriction prohibits the use of potable water for irrigation of nonfunctional turf.
- The ordinance is intended to implement AB 1572.
Full report
Sunnyvale has moved to tighten its water-conservation code, approving a prohibition on using potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf.
City Council adopted Ordinance No. 3261-26 on October 27, amending Chapter 12.34, Water Conservation Restrictions, within Title 12 of the Sunnyvale Municipal Code. The measure was approved through the consent calendar in a unanimous 7-0 vote.
The ordinance implements AB 1572 and specifically bars potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf. It places the new restriction within the city’s water and sewer code rather than establishing a separate programme or fee structure.
The action was the sole water-specific measure considered at the meeting. Council approved the entire consent calendar without pulling the ordinance for separate discussion.
The ordinance adds a local municipal-code mechanism for enforcing the state-directed restriction on potable-water use for nonfunctional turf, making water conservation requirements an explicit element of Sunnyvale’s existing water regulations.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council, Sunnyvale Environmental Services Department