No, California is not banning your home lawn. AB 1572 bans watering non-functional turf with potable water at commercial and government properties starting in 2027, not single-family homes. SB 676 redefines "drought-tolerant landscaping" to exclude artificial turf from HOA requirements. Here's what both laws actually mean for homeowners in Fresno, Kerman, and Clovis.
What Is AB 1572?
Assembly Bill 1572 (signed 2023) prohibits using potable (drinkable) water to irrigate "non-functional turf" — decorative grass that serves no recreational purpose. It rolls out in phases:
| Effective Date | Applies To |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2027 | State and local government properties |
| January 1, 2028 | Commercial, industrial, and institutional properties |
| January 1, 2029 | HOA and CID common areas (not individual lots) |
What AB 1572 does NOT affect:
- Single-family residential lawns — your home lawn is completely exempt
- Functional turf used for sports, recreation, or community gathering
- Turf irrigated with recycled or non-potable water
- Residential turf on individual HOA lots (only HOA common areas are affected)
The grass in front of your Kerman home or your Clovis backyard where the kids play is not impacted by this law.
What Is SB 676?
Senate Bill 676 (signed 2024) changes how California defines "drought-tolerant landscaping" for HOA purposes. The key change: synthetic (artificial) turf is no longer considered drought-tolerant landscaping under state law.
What this means in practice:
- HOAs can no longer count artificial turf as their drought-tolerant landscaping compliance
- HOAs may still allow artificial turf, but they can't use it to satisfy water conservation requirements
- Some cities (Millbrae, San Marino) have already moved to ban or restrict artificial turf on residential properties
- Fresno has not passed any local artificial turf ban as of 2026
Important context: California Civil Code 4735 still says HOAs cannot prohibit homeowners from installing drought-tolerant landscaping. SB 676 creates a gray area — your HOA can't ban drought-tolerant landscaping, but artificial turf no longer qualifies as drought-tolerant. In practice, most HOAs in Fresno and Clovis still allow artificial turf through their architectural review process.
How Does This Affect Fresno, Kerman, and Clovis Homeowners?
For most homeowners, the direct impact is minimal right now. But these laws signal where California is heading:
If you have a single-family home:
- Your lawn is not affected by AB 1572
- You can still install artificial turf (no Fresno-area ban exists)
- Your HOA cannot penalize you for installing drought-tolerant landscaping (California Civil Code 4735)
If you live in an HOA:
- Your personal lot is exempt from AB 1572
- HOA common areas (shared lawns, entranceways) will need to transition away from irrigated decorative turf by 2029
- If your HOA is planning a common area redesign, they should be thinking about this now
- Your HOA may update its CC&Rs to reflect these new state requirements
If you own commercial property in Fresno:
- You will need to stop irrigating non-functional turf with potable water by January 1, 2028
- Start planning now — transitioning commercial landscaping takes time and budget
- Artificial turf and drought-tolerant landscape design are both viable alternatives
What Are Your Options Going Forward?
Whether you're a homeowner thinking ahead or a business preparing for 2028, here are the main paths:
Keep Your Natural Lawn (Homeowners)
Your residential lawn is exempt. Continue maintaining it within your city's watering schedule. If water costs are a concern, consider Bermuda grass (uses 30–40% less water than fescue) or targeted sprinkler upgrades. Our lawn care maintenance plans help you keep a healthy lawn on a budget.
Install Artificial Turf
Still legal for residential and commercial properties in Fresno County. Saves approximately 30,000 gallons of water per year for a typical yard. Lasts 15–25 years. Upfront cost is higher, but lifetime savings are significant. See our artificial turf installation service.
Go Drought-Tolerant
Replace some or all of your lawn with California native plants, mulch beds, rock, or low-water ground covers. This qualifies for Fresno's Lawn-to-Garden rebate ($1.00/sq ft, up to $1,500). Our landscape design service creates beautiful drought-tolerant yards that look great year-round.
Upgrade Your Irrigation
If you want to keep your lawn, maximize every drop. Smart controllers, drip irrigation for plant beds, and properly maintained sprinkler systems can cut water use by 20–40% without sacrificing lawn quality.
Will Fresno Ban Residential Lawns in the Future?
There is no indication that Fresno, Kerman, or Clovis will ban residential lawns. AB 1572 explicitly exempts single-family homes. The state's focus is on non-functional commercial turf — the decorative grass strips in front of office buildings and shopping centers that no one uses.
That said, water rates are rising (Clovis proposed a 3-year rate increase in 2025), and watering restrictions may tighten in future drought years. Investing in water-efficient landscaping — whether that's drought-tolerant plants, artificial turf, or simply a well-maintained Bermuda lawn with efficient sprinklers — is smart long-term planning regardless of what the laws require.
Questions About These Laws?
Navigating California's landscaping regulations can be confusing. We stay current on the rules so our clients don't have to. Whether you need help planning a transition, designing a drought-tolerant landscape, or just making sure your current lawn is as efficient as possible, we're here.
Book a consultation or call us at (559) 809-1230. We serve Kerman, Fresno, Clovis, and surrounding communities.