Torrance Bans Water Use on Nonfunctional Turf
The city council unanimously approved an ordinance amendment phasing in a ban on potable water for ornamental lawns not used for recreation or gatherings.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Landscaping
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Torrance City Council unanimously approved amending a local ordinance to ban potable water use on nonfunctional turf, as required by Assembly Bill 1572. The city has also created a penalty system for violators.
Why it matters
California's water supply is limited and increasingly scarce due to climate change, and AB 1572 determined that using potable water on nonfunctional turf is wasteful and incompatible with state climate policy. Torrance's ordinance brings the city into line with that state mandate.
Civil penalties for violators range from a written warning for a first offense to up to $500 per day for a second, $1,000 per day for a third, and a $1,000 fine plus a required flow restrictor for a fourth. Repeat violations beyond that can lead to discontinuation of water service.
The players
Torrance City Council
The Torrance City Council is the governing body of the city of Torrance in Los Angeles County, and it unanimously approved the ordinance amendment banning potable water on nonfunctional turf.
Metropolitan Water District
The Metropolitan Water District is the regional wholesale water agency serving six Southern California counties, and it estimates that removing nonfunctional turf across its service area could save about 300,000 acre-feet of water per year.
The details
The ban is phased by property type, with single-family properties excepted. Torrance is using California Department of Water Resources mapping data to identify nonfunctional turf within city limits and has already begun replacing major areas, including those bordering the City Yard and medians along Madrona Avenue.
Timeline
January 2027: enforcement begins for local government and public water system properties.
2028: the ban applies to institutional, commercial, and industrial properties.
2029: the ban applies to homeowners' association and common interest development common areas.
2031: enforcement for public agencies in disadvantaged communities, if a qualifying state funding source is available.
Before the end of 2026: second reading and final approval of the ordinance amendment.
Roadmap
Torrance's ordinance is a local implementation of AB 1572, the 2023 state law that phases out potable water use on ornamental lawns not used for recreation or gatherings. It places the city within a statewide shift toward conserving water on turf as California adapts to scarcer supplies.
Owners of commercial, institutional, or industrial properties in Torrance should plan to remove potable-water-fed nonfunctional turf before 2028 enforcement. Regional rebate programs from the Metropolitan Water District may help offset the cost of converting these areas.
The takeaway
Replacing nonfunctional turf before enforcement deadlines can avoid escalating daily penalties and water-service discontinuation. Rebate programs may reduce the cost of making that switch.
What happens next
Second reading and final approval of the ordinance amendment is scheduled before the end of 2026, with enforcement for local government properties beginning in January 2027.
Further reading
For more on lawn alternatives and yard upkeep, see Landscaping coverage on Wisevoter.
More information
Review available residential and commercial water rebate programs before converting nonfunctional turf.
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Should your city ban drinking water on ornamental lawns to conserve supply?
