Sunnyvale adopts nonfunctional-turf irrigation ban to meet 2027 state deadline

Sunnyvale adopts nonfunctional-turf irrigation ban to meet 2027 state deadlineSunnyvale City Council voted 7-0 on 6 October to prohibit potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf under AB 1572. The city will phase implementation by property type through 2029 and says it is already preparing commercial customers and homeowners’ associations for the change.

The ordinance adds potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf, where prohibited by state law, to Sunnyvale’s existing water-conservation restrictions.

State and local public-agency properties must comply from 1 January 2027; commercial, industrial and institutional sites follow in 2028, and HOA common areas in 2029.

Single-family homes and apartment complexes are not subject to the prohibition, according to staff.

Sunnyvale said recycled water is currently supplied through its purple-pipe system from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission; city-produced recycled water is expected in December 2027.

The city plans education and outreach, including bill inserts, a dedicated webpage, direct contact with organisations and a presentation to HOA group ECHO on 21 October.

Sunnyvale City Council has unanimously introduced an ordinance prohibiting the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf, meeting a 1 January 2027 deadline set by California’s AB 1572. The 7-0 vote on 6 October amends Chapter 12.34 of the city’s municipal code, placing irrigation of nonfunctional turf in violation of state law on Sunnyvale’s list of prohibited water uses. Staff said the approach incorporates state requirements by reference rather than establishing a separate local regulatory regime. AB 1572, enacted in 2023, targets ornamental grass that is not regularly used for recreation or community events. Staff cited decorative turf beside buildings, in parking areas, near office-park entrances and on slopes as examples. Sports fields, parks, playgrounds, picnic areas, golf courses and cemeteries are among the functional uses that remain outside the restriction. The requirements will be introduced in stages. State and local public-agency properties must comply from 1 January 2027, followed by commercial, industrial and institutional properties in 2028 and common areas managed by HOAs or similar entities in 2029. Staff said residential properties, including single-family houses and apartment complexes, are not covered. Deputy Director of Environmental Services Winona Zhang told councillors that Sunnyvale had already removed turf from street medians and installed water-efficient landscaping as part of earlier conservation work. City departments have also assessed municipal sites and did not identify properties that would fail to meet the AB 1572 requirements, staff said. Property owners can replace nonfunctional turf with water-wise gardens or mulch, or irrigate with recycled water where available. Sunnyvale does not currently produce recycled water at its Clean Water Facility, but water is already flowing through sections of its purple-pipe network using supply from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission. The network is limited to Moffett Park and along Wolfe Road, staff said. City-produced recycled water is expected to become available in December 2027 upon completion of an upcoming Clean Water Facility project. The council focused on the need for sustained communication with affected customers, particularly HOAs and businesses that may need to incorporate changes into capital plans. Staff said it had identified commercial, industrial and institutional accounts through its billing system and had contacted the California Professional Landscaper Association to offer presentations. It is also partnering with Valley Water on outreach and will provide bill inserts to commercial and HOA customers. A presentation to ECHO, an HOA-focused organisation, is scheduled for 21 October. While the city has enforcement tools in its code, including flow-restriction devices, staff said its emphasis would be on education. Zhang said Sunnyvale’s customers had historically been responsive to water-conservation measures and that staff did not recall needing to use that enforcement mechanism. Councillors also asked staff to clarify on the city’s website that the requirements do not apply to residential properties and to expand information on water-wise and native-plant alternatives. The adopted measure was found exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15307.