Ventura staff outline plan to implement California's AB1572 turf ban; commissioners raise HOA, enforcement and fire-safety concerns

Steven Glenn, environmental services supervisor for Ventura Water, told the commission April 27 that Assembly Bill 1572 prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate "nonfunctional turf" on many commercial, industrial and institutional properties and on homeowners association common areas, and that the law is being phased in between 2027 and 2031.

"AB1572 says that the use prohibits irrigation of non-functional turf with portable water on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties and on homeowners association common areas," Glenn said, summarizing the statute and its staged implementation schedule. He described the state's definitions for "turf," "functional turf" (recreation or gathering areas, sports fields and similar uses) and "non-functional turf," and said parcels with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated area will be subject to a state certification process phased in across 20301239.

Glenn said the city has received a state-provided GIS layer marking likely nonfunctional turf and that Ventura's GIS staff have overlaid parcel data to let park and property staff verify or correct the shapes. Staff described producing individualized map packages for other public agencies and developing a questionnaire/tool that park staff can use to confirm whether areas are irrigated and whether they qualify for exemptions. He said exemptions include parks and public recreational uses, sports fields, tree health, cemeteries and other areas where people regularly gather.

Commissioners sought more detail on enforcement approach and timing. Chair Shelonburgger and others urged staff to plan extensive outreach and to consider the cost burden on HOAs and private property owners. Commissioner Namikas asked whether the interim fixes (for example, installing point-of-use RO units for a small subdivision) are temporary while larger, permanent system solutions are studied; staff said temporary RO installations are being vetted with the state Division of Drinking Water while feasibility work continues for system-level fixes.

Several commissioners raised fire-safety and maintenance concerns should irrigated turf be removed: they asked whether reduced irrigation could increase fuels and create year-round combustible vegetation. Staff said they have engaged with park staff and will coordinate with code enforcement and fire agencies as implementation proceeds.

On penalties and enforcement, Glenn said the city is required to adopt an updated ordinance to comply but is not required to actively police every parcel; enforcement could follow a water-waste complaint model (education and notice first, escalating civil penalties only as needed). Glenn also said staff plans to return with a draft ordinance and proposed civil-penalty schedule for commission feedback and that a draft ordinance is planned for June 6 with subsequent council hearings in the fall; the statute requires the city to submit proof of an ordinance to the state by Jan. 1, 2027.

Why it matters: AB1572 creates new compliance and reporting obligations for municipalities and many nonresidential property types. Commissioners emphasized the need for proactive outreach, clear public materials showing what counts as "functional" turf and an estimate of the city's own compliance costs for city-owned parcels. Staff said the city will mail targeted packets and use a web-based tool to assist property owners and agencies in reviewing map parcels and confirming exemptions.

Next steps: staff will bring a draft ordinance and recommended civil-penalty schedule to the commission, continue GIS verification of flagged parcels, and roll out outreach packages for affected public and private property owners ahead of the statutory deadlines.