Ballard: The lawn phase-out is coming and it’s an opportunity, not a burden

As someone who has spent my career advocating for a healthier environment and a more resilient California, I’ve learned that real change often arrives quietly, not with fanfare, but with a shift in the rules that guide how we live, work and steward our shared resources. One of those shifts is now on our doorstep.

California Assembly Bill 1572 will soon prohibit the use of drinking water to irrigate nonfunctional turf, which is the decorative grass that lines our sidewalks, wraps around our buildings, fills our medians and serves no purpose other than aesthetics. Beginning in 2027 and phasing in through 2031, businesses, institutions and homeowners associations will need to stop watering these lawns. The law does not apply to multifamily homes.

Some will see this as a costly challenge, but the good news is there is financial assistance to help entities go beyond the law and beautify their landscapes.

Valley Water is offering rebates of up to $100,000 and in some areas, and up to $135,000 to help businesses replace nonfunctional turf with water-wise landscaping. These funds can dramatically reduce the cost of installing drought-tolerant plants, upgrading irrigation systems and creating modern, sustainable outdoor spaces that reflect the values — and reality — of today’s California. Woodland Estates, a Morgan Hill homeowners association, received more than $60,000 from Valley Water for their landscape conversion.

For decades, we’ve treated water as if it were limitless. But we live in a region defined by drought cycles, climate volatility and growing demand. Continuing to pour precious drinking water onto grass that no one uses simply isn’t sustainable environmentally or economically. This transition isn’t just a regulatory requirement — it’s a chance to rethink our landscapes and align them with the climate change that has finally arrived.

This is more than compliance. It’s smart business.

Water-efficient landscapes lower operating costs. They reduce maintenance. They boost curb appeal. They create healthier, more inviting environments for employees, customers and tenants. And they signal to your community that you are part of the solution because you understand the responsibility we all share to protect our water supply.

If you’re unsure where to begin, you’re not alone. That’s why Valley Water hosts virtual office hours every other week, offering one-on-one guidance for commercial, industrial, institutional and HOA representatives. Whether you need help identifying nonfunctional turf, planning a redesign or navigating the rebate process, our experts are ready to support you.

You can start by visiting NonfunctionalTurfCA.org to understand the new statewide rules. Then explore your rebate options and sign up for office hours at WaterSavings.org.

As an environmentalist, I believe deeply that every action we take, large or small, shapes the world we leave behind. As a Valley Water director, I know that our region’s long-term resilience depends on the choices we make today.

The lawn phase-out is coming. But with the right planning and support, it can be a catalyst for innovation, beauty and sustainability across our business community.

Let’s seize this moment together.

Shiloh Ballard represents District 2 on the Valley Water board of directors.