California’s AB 1572 Turf Mandate: What Commercial Property Managers Need to Know and How to Cover the Costs
Got turf? If so, you’ll need to think twice about that patch of decorative grass on your commercial property. Under California Assembly Bill 1572, using potable drinking water to irrigate nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial, institutional, government, and HOA properties will soon be illegal – and non-compliance carries steep fines of $500 per day.
Under AB 1572, a 2023 California law, all commercial and industrial properties are required to stop irrigating nonfunctional turf with potable water by Jan. 1, 2028.
While that may seem far off, there’s a critical window for action. Turf conversions – the process of replacing a traditional grass lawn with sustainable, low-water landscaping alternatives – are time-consuming.
Commercial property managers and building owners will need to audit their landscapes to identify areas of nonfunctional turf and develop a plan to replace it with water-smart or drought-tolerant landscaping and materials. If you have large swaths of decorative turf, these tasks could take even longer to plan and execute.
You’ll also need to factor in a typical six-month turnaround time from rebate application to turf rebate check.
That’s why property managers need to act fast – now.
Understanding AB 1572: Nonfunctional vs Functional Turf
Auditing your landscape and identifying areas of your property for compliance starts with defining how your grass is used.
Nonfunctional turf is grass used for purely ornamental purposes and not for recreation or activities. Think of that patch of grass on an office building property, the lawn in a parking lot, road medians, and parkways. AB 1572 targets nonfunctional turf across all commercial and industrial sectors.
Conversely, functional turf is grass used for recreational or community activities, including sports fields, school fields, parks, cemeteries, pet areas, and picnic areas. Functional turf is exempt from AB 1572.
The phased restriction for public property begins on Jan. 1, 2027, but the compliance date that matters most to commercial property managers is Jan. 1, 2028.
Compliance deadlines at a glance:
Jan. 1, 2027: State and local government properties
Jan. 1, 2028: Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties
Jan. 1, 2029: HOA common areas, mobile home parks, and retirement community common areas.
Jan. 1, 2031: Government properties in disadvantaged communities
California Turf Rebate Program: Offsetting Conversion Costs with Water Rebates
When budgets are tight, making the case for necessary building improvements can be challenging. While the costs, timelines, and approval process may feel overwhelming, the right planning and approach can help demonstrate the long-term value of the investment and gain ownership buy-in.
Transitioning to water-smart landscaping requires capital, but local incentive programs can offset the investment, reduce ongoing water bills by 50% to 70%, eliminate fines from noncompliance, and improve property value immediately.
Many water districts, including the Metropolitan Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), offer turf rebate programs to help offset the cost of turf removal, replacement, and irrigation updates. The program is also designed to reduce outdoor water usage. Additional rebates are available for tree planting and some sprinkler nozzles or smart irrigation.
The MWDOC’s Turf Replacement Program provides incentives starting at $2 per square foot to replace ornamental turf with sustainable, drought-tolerant landscaping. Rates can change based on available funding, and funds are first-come, first-served. For example, rebates were $9 earlier in the year, so act now before they’re all gone.
If this is a lot to digest, W Brothers Landscape will continue to track current rates and handle the application process to ensure you get the maximum rebates available.
To take advantage of these rebates, there are a few requirements to keep in mind. For example, projects must replace a minimum of 250 square feet of turf. Commercial rebates are capped at 50,000 square feet of turf per application, with one application per water meter per fiscal year. Replacement landscapes must also include at least three drought-tolerant plants per 100 square feet and use organic mulch.
But these rebates won’t be around forever. As mentioned before, the timeframe from application to receiving a check is about six months, so starting today is critical.
How W Brothers Landscape Handles Compliance from Start to Finish
Navigating municipal regulations and complex rebate paperwork can be a headache. W Brothers Landscape offers a solution to make this process easier: we do it for you.
We know that success starts with a clear strategy and the right team to guide you through each step. That’s why we take your project from initial audit to final inspection seamlessly.
W Brothers Landscape works directly with the MWDOC and the Metropolitan Water District to maximize turf rebates for commercial and industrial property owners. As a result, 90% of the properties we manage are already compliant or actively in process.
Our tried-and-true method meets the stringent criteria set to qualify for rebates and become AB 1572-compliant before the deadline. We manage everything, including design, rebate application, pre-and-post inspection meetings, installation, and ongoing maintenance.
Here’s a breakdown of why you should partner with W Brothers Landscape, your go-to provider and expert for all turf conversions. We offer:
Total Rebate Management: We handle the entire rebate process, including submitting all applications and completing strict compliance guidelines to maximize your rebate payout. You simply collect the check.
Zero Change Orders: No last-minute changes. No guessing. We’re completely transparent and always stay on budget.
Unmatched Communication: We provide clear timelines and updates throughout every phase of design, inspection, and installation.
Going Above and Beyond – Let’s Handle Your Maintenance Too
To ensure the integrity of project and keep the investment looking beautiful, W Brothers Landscape will offer a distinct warranty when you sign a 12-month maintenance contract with us. We will guarantee all plants for the life expectancy of the plant and all irrigation parts for one year while we maintain the property. It’s that simple.
Case Study: $90K Securing Rebates for DOW Industrial Park
W Brothers Landscape worked with DOW Industrial Park on a recent turf renovation project. The challenges were immense. The property had 18,000 square feet of nonfunctional turf, an outdated spray irrigation system, and landscaping that guzzled water all year round.
Drastic change was needed.
The property required a modern solution that could reduce year-round water waste while enhancing curb appeal.
In collaboration with DOW Industrial Park’s property management team, W Brothers Landscape reimagined the environment. We developed a comprehensive turf landscape project featuring the removal of all nonfunctional grass, a complete rehaul of their irrigation system to a more water-efficient drip setup, and the selection of three species of low-maintenance drought-tolerant plants.
To meet rebate requirements and balance aesthetics with utility, we also installed a dry riverbed that serves as both a sustainable focal point and an effective stormwater management system.
The Results
The financial results were nothing short of mind-blowing. The total project cost for the DOW’s turf renovation was $105,000. We handled the process from start to finish – successfully securing more than $90,000 in MWDOC rebates. This brought the final out-of-pocket cost down to just $15,000.
By leveraging local rebate incentives, DOW Industrial Park significantly reduced its water bills, modernized its visual appeal, and kept out-of-pocket expenses to a fraction of the total budget – all while gaining a massive return on investment.
To read the full case study, go to: https://www.wbroslandscape.com/blog-resources/dow-industrial-case-study
Ready to Secure Your Rebate Before Deadlines Approach?
Don’t wait until the last minute! Contact W Brothers Landscape today to schedule your commercial landscape audit and secure your share of available turf replacement funds.