AB 1572 and What It Means for Your Commercial Landscape

Let’s cut to it:

AB 1572 is a new California law that bans the use of drinking water to irrigate non-functional turf—and if you manage a commercial property, it’s going to affect you.

The clock’s already ticking. By 2028, you’ll need to shut off irrigation to decorative grass that’s just there for looks.

We’re not talking about sports fields or park space.
We’re talking about all those strips of lawn along the sidewalk, in medians, or out front of buildings—turf nobody walks on, sits on, or uses for anything other than “it looks nice.”

Why This Matters for Commercial Properties

This isn’t just a “landscape” issue—it’s a water issue, a compliance issue, and a budget issue.

If your commercial site has any amount of non-functional grass, AB 1572 means:

• Irrigation to those zones must be removed, shut off, or repurposed

• Water budgets are going to tighten

• New projects will be scrutinized for water use

• You’ll be expected to comply—and potentially penalized if you don’t

And this is just the beginning. Bills like SB 606 and AB 1668 are already lined up to take things even further—tying allowable water use to landscape size, plant type, and irrigation efficiency.

What Qualifies as “Non-Functional Turf”?

For commercial properties, this includes:

• Lawn in medians or parking lot islands

• Turf along sidewalks or perimeter edges

• Decorative grass at building entries or signage areas

• Any turf area that isn’t actively used by people

If it's just there to be green—it’s on the chopping block.

What You Should Do (Now)

This isn’t a rip-it-all-out-tomorrow situation—but it is something you want a plan for. We’re working with clients right now to build multi-phase conversion plans that:

• Spread the cost out over multiple seasons

• Avoid disruption to tenants or operations

• Get you fully compliant before the deadline hits

How Delta Is Helping Commercial Clients Right Now

We’re not handing you a PDF and saying “good luck.”
We’re walking sites, building budgets, and managing conversions from start to finish—so you stay compliant and look good doing it.

Here’s what that looks like:

• Annual Budget Planning
  We’ll lay out a clear, multi-phase game plan—so you can plan ahead, spread costs out over time, and avoid last-minute headaches.

• Drought-Friendly Redesigns
  We replace turf with smart, water-efficient planting that keeps your site looking clean, modern, and on-brand—without turning it into gravel and succulents.

• Turf Removal & Irrigation Upgrades
  We’ll handle removal, cap off old turf zones, and upgrade your irrigation to match your new landscape layout and water-use goals.

Let’s Be Honest: The Rules Are Changing.

Water’s not getting cheaper. Regulations aren’t getting looser. And the longer you wait, the harder (and more expensive) the transition gets.

The good news?
You don’t have to go it alone. We’ve been helping Sacramento commercial properties navigate these changes since before they had names like AB 1572.

No Turf. No Panic. Just Smart Planning.

Want to know how AB 1572 affects your property?

Let’s walk the site together.
We’ll build a plan that’s clear, realistic, and sets you up for long-term success—without sacrificing curb appeal.

Contact Delta Landscape Services to schedule your AB 1572 compliance consult.