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Home My WebLink AboutAB 1572 Presentation_v3An Introduction to AB 1572 1 CITY OF SEAL BEACH August 10, 2026 What is AB 1572? Purpose 2 AB 1572, a new regulation, supports California's long-term water resilience by advancing more efficient use of potable water in response to recurring drought, climate change, and growing pressure on limited water supplies. Scope It prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turfgrass on commercial, industrial, and institutional (CII) properties, using a phased implementation approach. Definitions 3 Nonfunctional Turf As defined by the regulation: turf that is not functional, including street rights-of-way and parking lots. If the only time you step foot on the turf is to mow it, it is likely nonfunctional. Exemptions exist for: Tree health, cemeteries, and public health & safety needs. Functional Turf As defined by the regulation: a ground cover surface of turf located in a recreational use area or community space. Turf enclosed by fencing or other barriers to permanently preclude human access for recreation or assembly is not functional turf. Examples include: ●Parks & sports fields ●Picnic grounds ●Playgrounds January 1, 2028 AB 1572 in effect for commercial, industrial, and institutional customers AB 1572: A Phased Implementation Approach January 1, 2027 AB 1572 in effect for Local Governments and Public Agencies January 1, 2029 AB 1572 in effect for HOA Common areas + common interest developments The City’s Responsibilities Revise regulations, ordinances, or policies to include AB 1572 requirements and definitions by January 1, 2027 5 Communicate these requirements to customers on or before that date Consider enforcement policies and procedures Enforcing AB 1572 6 Statutory Authority AB 1572 says that suppliers may enforce its provisions, but does not specify exactly how suppliers enforce it. Preserving Local Control By establishing a basic enforcement framework, Seal Beach can preserve local control over how enforcement is applied. •Amend Municipal Code §9.37.015, "Permanent Mandatory Water Conservation Measures” to include AB 1572 requirements •Enforcement covered by §9.37.035 •Amend Municipal Code §9.37.005, “Definitions” to include required definitions •Amend §11.4.30.020 “General Landscaping Standards” with limited clarification that turf only be used on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties when its irrigation complies with Chapter 9.37 and applicable state law Anticipated Ordinance Update & Timeline 7 By Sept 7 Publish Public Hearing Notice Sept 28 1st Reading Oct 26 2nd Reading & Vote Sept -Dec Communications & Outreach Jan 1, 2027 AB 1572 Requirement Effective Date Budget Impacts 8 Ordinance Adoption Impact ●No direct budget impact to general fund or water fund. ●Requires staff time associated with executing the regulatory update. Potential Long-Term Costs Anticipated future operational requirements include: ●City property & ROW compliance ●Customer compliance support ●Enforcement programs ●Ongoing monitoring & reporting Current Related Activity & Programs 9 Turf Conversion Programs Seal Beach works closely with Metropolitan and MWDOC to offer Seal Beach customers rebates to convert large areas of turf into water-wise, climate- appropriate landscapes. Seal Beach ROW Conversions •Seal Beach has zero medians with turf. •Seal Beach received a grant for rebates approved to convert turf into water-wise landscaping at Central and 2nd, 1st and PCH, and at the SBTPC. Track Record 38,418 sq. ft. Converted Since 2010 Seal Beach customers have successfully transformed turf areas into sustainable, OC- friendly environments. Public Works has had conversations with Leisure World on AB 1572 requirements and are working on developing a plan to meet regulation requirements. Forthcoming Guidance •AB 1572 also requires •CII property owners with more than 5,000 sq. ft. of irrigated area to certify their compliance with AB 1572 with the State Water Resources Control Board starting in 2030, •and HOAs and similar entities with large common areas to certify in 2031. 10 Importantly, the State is still developing guidance on what this self- certification process will look like. David Spitz, Public Works Dspitz@sealbeachca.gov Sean Low, Public Works Slow@sealbeachca.gov Claire Hubert, Environmental Incentives chubert@enviroincentives.com THANK YOU! Reference: Regulation Text for Ordinance •The use of potable water for the irrigation of nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties, other than a cemetery, and on properties of homeowners’ associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities is prohibited as of the following dates: 1.All properties owned by the Department of General Services, beginning January 1, 2027. 2.All properties owned by local governments, local or regional public agencies, and public water systems, except those specified in paragraph (5), beginning January 1, 2027. 3.All other institutional properties and all commercial and industrial properties, beginning January 1, 2028. 4.All common areas of properties of homeowners’ associations, common interest developments, and community service organizations or similar entities, beginning January 1, 2029. 5.All properties owned by local governments, local public agencies, and public water systems in a disadvantaged community, beginning January 1, 2031, or the date upon which a state funding source is made available to fund conversion of nonfunctional turf on these properties to climate-appropriate landscapes, whichever is later. b.Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the use of potable water is not prohibited by this section to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and other perennial nonturf plantings, or to the extent necessary to address an immediate health and safety need. c.The board may, upon a showing of good cause for reasons including economic hardship, critical business need, and potential impacts to human health or safety, postpone a compliance deadline in subdivision (a) by up to three years for certain persons, institutions, and businesses, and may create a form to be used for compliance certification to the board by property owners. 12