Torrance adopts potable-water ban for nonfunctional turf
Torrance Public Works Department, California · Meeting date: November 3, 2026 · Published: November 4, 2026
Torrance City Council has unanimously adopted an ordinance barring the irrigation of nonfunctional turf with drinking water, aligning the city code with California Assembly Bill 1572. The measure excludes individual residential properties and retains potable-water use for functional recreational and community turf.
Key points
- The ordinance adds a new municipal-code article prohibiting potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf and updates water-conservation penalties.
- State deadlines begin on January 1, 2027 for local government and public-agency properties, followed by commercial, industrial and institutional sites in 2028 and HOA common areas in 2029.
- Individual residential properties are excluded; functional turf, including sports fields, picnic areas and other recreation or community-use spaces, is not affected.
- Torrance will use a compliance-first approach, beginning with written warnings and correction time before escalating penalties for continuing violations within 12 months.
- Public Works will coordinate outreach with California Water Service for Torrance customers in its service area, while code enforcement and Public Works will jointly administer enforcement.
Full report
Torrance City Council has unanimously adopted an ordinance prohibiting the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf, putting a local enforcement mechanism behind California's AB 1572 water-efficiency mandate.
The ordinance amends the city's existing Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage and Sustainability Program and adds a dedicated article on nonfunctional turf. It was recommended by the Public Works Director with the concurrence of the Water Commission.
Public Works staff said the measure is intended to eliminate the use of drinking water on ornamental grass areas that do not serve a recreational or community purpose, while encouraging conversion to drought-tolerant California landscaping. The regulation does not require turf to be removed; property owners may stop irrigating it, convert it to low-water landscaping, use mulch or other non-turf landscaping, or use recycled water where available.
The state law phases in compliance by property type. Local government and public-agency sites face the first deadline, January 1, 2027. Commercial, industrial and other institutional properties follow in 2028, while homeowners' association common areas are covered from 2029. Individual residential properties are explicitly excluded.
Staff distinguished nonfunctional ornamental grass, such as turf in street medians and parking-lot areas, from functional turf. Sports fields, picnic areas and other turf used for recreation or community activities are not subject to the prohibition. Parks are expected largely to fall outside the restriction, although staff said each park and parcel will be assessed against state data.
Torrance plans to begin with outreach and education. A written warning and time to correct will precede penalties, which will increase only where a violation continues within a 12-month period. Public Works will develop an outreach programme with the city's Communications Division, identify affected properties using state preliminary data and work with city departments on impacted parcels.
The city will notify affected customers by January 1, 2027 through bill inserts or mailers. Public Works Director Alvin Papa said Torrance has also met with California Water Service, which serves part of the city, to coordinate customer education. Public Works will identify non-compliance and coordinate with code enforcement on citations.
Council also adopted a categorical CEQA exemption and approved an ordinance summary for publication.
This summary was generated by AI based on the source document and may contain errors.
Source: City Council Meeting, Torrance Public Works Department