Title
[Pass for Publication] Ordinance Amending Chapter 13.04 of the Sacramento City Code Relating to Nonfunctional Turf
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FileID
File ID: 2026-01509
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Location
Location: Citywide
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Recommendation
Recommendation: 1) Review an Ordinance adding Article XII to Chapter 13.04 of the Sacramento City Code, relating to nonfunctional turf; and 2) pass for publication the Ordinance title as required by the Sacramento City Charter section 32c to be adopted on September 29, 2026.
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Contact
Contact: Brett Ewart, Supervising Engineer, (916) 808-1725, bewart@cityofsacramento.org; Michelle Carrey, Engineering & Water Resources Division Manager, (916) 808-1438, mcarrey@cityofsacramento.org; Dalia Fadl, Director, (916) 808-3765, dfadl@cityofsacramento.org; Department of Utilities
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Presenter
Presenter: None
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Attachments
Attachments:
1-Description/Analysis
2-Ordinance (Clean)
3-Ordinance (Redlined)
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Description/Analysis
IssueDetail
Issue Detail: Staff recommends City Council adopt an ordinance adding Article XII to Chapter 13.04 of the Sacramento City Code to comply with State of California regulatory standards related to nonfunctional turf. Assembly Bill (AB) 1572 was passed by the California Legislature and signed into law by Governor Newsom in late 2023. AB 1572 requires all public water systems in the state to revise their regulations, ordinances or policies governing water service to include the requirements of subdivisions (a) and (b) of AB 1572 and communicate the requirements to their affected customers on or before January 1, 2027.
The proposed ordinance revisions include:
1) Adding Section 13.04.960 which provides definitions related to nonfunctional turf.
2) Adding Section 13.04.970, which specifies details regarding the prohibition of the use of potable water for irrigating nonfunctional turf located on commercial, industrial and institutional properties as well as common areas of homeowner’s associations, common interest developments and community service organizations or similar entities.
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PolicyConsiderations
Policy Considerations: Adopting this ordinance will ensure that the City complies with the requirements of . Adoption is also consistent with the 2040 General Plan Policy ERC-3.9 which encourages responsible watering practices that reduce unnecessary irrigation.
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EconomicImpacts
Economic Impacts: None.
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EnvironmentalConsiderations
Environmental Considerations: Pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15308, the approval of the proposed ordinance adding to the City Code requirements to comply State of California regulatory standards related to nonfunctional turf is exempt. CEQA Guidelines Section 15308 exempts actions taken by regulatory agencies, as authorized by state or local ordinance, to assure the maintenance, restoration, enhancement, or protection of the environment where the regulatory process involves procedures for protection of the environment.
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Sustainability
Sustainability: The proposed ordinance is consistent with the 2040 General Plan’s goals and policies related to water efficiency, including ERC-5, which promotes careful stewardship and efficient use of water and energy. In addition, adopting this ordinance aligns with the City’s Climate Action & Adaptation Plan Measure WW-1.7, which encourages efficient water use through education, incentives and assistance programs in compliance with Assembly Bill 1668 and Senate Bill 606, helping reduce overall water demand and associated energy use.
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Commission/Committee Action
Commission/Committee Action: The Law and Legislation Committee reviewed the Nonfunctional Turf Ordinance on August 18, 2026, and forwarded a recommendation of approval to the City Council.
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RationaleforRecommendation
Rationale for Recommendation: The proposed amendments and additions to the Sacramento City Code are necessary to ensure compliance with AB 1572.
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FinancialConsiderations
Financial Considerations: Not applicable
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LocalBusinessEnterprise
Local Business Enterprise (LBE): Not applicable.
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