Would Cerritos' turf rule affect your HOA or yard?

If you’re looking at an HOA lawn or planning changes to your own yard, the answer depends on which space it is and how it’s watered. Cerritos’ proposed rule would restrict potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf in HOA common areas. It would exempt private residential yards, including those within HOAs, and functional turf used for recreation or community space.

Has Cerritos adopted the ordinance?

Not yet: as of October 27, 2026, the outcome of the October 26 hearing had not been posted.

The ordinance was on the Cerritos City Council’s October 26, 2026 agenda as public hearing item 8A, for introduction (first reading). The staff report says that if the council approves it as introduced, the second reading for adoption would be at the November 9, 2026 regular meeting, and “implementation of the proposed ordinance is expected to be thirty (30) days from the date of the second reading and adoption on December 9, 2026.”

The council can change it before adoption. Check the city agenda portal for the outcome and subsequent action.

The proposal responds to Assembly Bill 1572, which added Water Code section 10608.14. It would add Chapter 13.14, “Nonfunctional Turf Irrigation Restrictions”, to the Cerritos Municipal Code. This is separate from the bill-related issue covered in the Cerritos water and sewer rate initiative guide.

Which HOA areas would the restriction cover?

The proposed restriction would cover potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf in HOA common areas, with a compliance date of January 1, 2029.

Under proposed section 13.14.020, a common area is the part of a common interest development not assigned to an individual unit’s occupants for exclusive use. Common interest developments include condominium projects and planned developments, along with community apartment projects and stock cooperatives.

That makes the particular patch of grass important. Ask the HOA which areas are common areas, what use each serves and whether the irrigation uses potable or recycled water. The HOA disclosure guide is a related resource when reviewing an HOA property.

What makes turf functional or nonfunctional?

Functional turf is turf in a recreational use area or community space; nonfunctional turf is turf that doesn’t meet that definition.

The proposal recognizes formal and informal recreation. Recreational use areas include sports fields, golf courses, playgrounds, picnic grounds and pet exercise areas. Functional turf, including community gathering areas, would be exempt.

The report gives decorative grass in parking lots, street rights-of-way and areas bordering buildings or signs as examples of nonfunctional turf. Turf behind fencing or barriers that permanently prevent human access for recreation or assembly isn’t functional turf under the proposed definition.

The watering limits first became real to E. when her HOA began discussing the decorative grass around its entrance. Residents had different ideas about whether the rule applied only to large common areas or also reached the lawns in front of individual homes. E. was mainly concerned about paying for landscaping twice: first to maintain grass that could no longer be watered normally, and later to replace it. She wanted the association to confirm which areas were covered before approving either expense.

Would your private yard have to change?

Your private residential yard would be exempt under the proposal, including a private yard within an HOA.

The report also says single-family residential properties aren’t impacted by this legislation and aren’t required to convert existing landscaping. Other shared HOA common areas would remain subject to the law.

Even for covered areas, the report says AB 1572 restricts irrigation and doesn’t require removal of nonfunctional turf. It also says nonfunctional turf may continue to be irrigated with recycled water.

Proposed sections 13.14.030(b) and 13.14.040 would preserve potable-water irrigation to the extent necessary for the health of trees and other perennial nonturf plants. Cemeteries and immediate health and safety needs would also be exempt.

When would the watering restrictions begin?

The proposed compliance dates would depend on the property category, with HOA common areas scheduled for January 1, 2029.

The dates in the city’s agenda report and proposed ordinance are:

• January 1, 2027: Department of General Services properties and properties owned by local governments, local or regional public agencies, and public water systems, except disadvantaged communities.
• January 1, 2028: all other institutional properties and all commercial and industrial properties.
• January 1, 2029: common areas of HOA properties, common interest developments and community service organizations or similar entities.
• January 1, 2031, or when state funding for conversion becomes available, whichever is later: public properties in a disadvantaged community.

The State Water Resources Control Board may postpone a deadline by up to three years for good cause. The report also says certain owners with more than 5,000 square feet of irrigated area must certify compliance directly to that board. Ask the city whether either provision applies to the property you’re reviewing.

What penalties does the proposal describe?

The proposal describes two warnings before monetary fines, counted within any 12-month period.

Under section 13.14.050, the first and second violations would each bring a warning and educational materials. The third would carry a $500 fine; the fourth, $1,000. The fifth and later violations would each carry an additional $1,000 fine.

Violations on separate calendar days would count separately. Noncompliance would also be subject to state civil liability and penalties under Water Code section 1846.

The city’s implementation plan calls for customer notices on affected properties, dates, exceptions and resources on or before January 1, 2027, followed by enforcement after the compliance dates.

What if you’re already planning front-yard changes?

The report lists the city’s existing residential front-yard landscaping requirements, which apply to landscaping modifications.

The report says a no-fee front-yard landscape approval is required before making changes. Drought-tolerant organic plant materials must make up at least four fifths of the landscaped area. Decomposed aggregate, gravel or rock may make up no more than one fifth.

Artificial turf is permitted on up to three quarters of the front-yard landscaped area, but is prohibited in parkways.

Check the Residential Front Yard Landscape Design Manual and Drought-Tolerant Plant Color Reference Guide at the city’s home and property page, or contact the Department of Community Development at (562) 916-1201. Landscape rules are set city by city; Lancaster’s root barrier ordinance is another example.

The short version

The proposed rule would address how covered nonfunctional turf is watered, with private residential yards and functional turf exempt.

For an HOA property, ask which common areas are covered, how they’re used and what water supplies their irrigation. Keep the proposed January 1, 2029 HOA deadline separate from the ordinance’s possible adoption and implementation dates.

This guide is educational, not legal or tax advice.

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