For Water Subcommittee Meeting, November 19, 2026
TO: Water Subcommittee Members
APPROVAL: Yazdan Emrani, P.E., Director of Public Works & Utilities
AUTHOR: Nicole Hemmans, Senior Administrative Analyst
Title
Request Water Subcommittee Receive an Overview of Assembly Bill 1572 and Provide Feedback Regarding the City’s Implementation Efforts. (ACTION)
Body
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff requests that the Water Subcommittee receive an overview of Assembly Bill 1572 and provide feedback regarding the City’s implementation efforts.
BACKGROUND
Assembly Bill (AB) 1572 was signed into law to support water conservation and improve water supply reliability throughout California. AB 1572 added California Water Code Section 10608.14, which establishes a phased prohibition on the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional turf at specified properties. Nonfunctional turf generally refers to grass that is not located in a recreational use area or community space, such as decorative turf in street medians, parking areas, and ornamental landscapes.
On September 8, 2026, West Valley Water District issued a notice, shown as
Attachment 1, to its government and public-sector customers, which includes some areas of the City of Rialto, regarding the January 1, 2027 compliance deadline. The notice encouraged public agencies to review their properties and identify landscape areas that may be affected.
Staff subsequently consulted with the City Attorney’s Office regarding the City’s obligations. Legal counsel is preparing an ordinance amending Chapter 12.20 of the Rialto Municipal Code to incorporate the applicable requirements of California Water Code Sections 10608.12 and 10608.14.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
The proposed ordinance will amend Chapter 12.20 to incorporate the applicable nonfunctional turf irrigation prohibitions and exceptions set forth in California Water Code Section 10608.14. The ordinance is also anticipated to incorporate applicable definitions from Water Code Se...
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