Severe drought conditions persist in California, and with rainfall and reservoir levels far below average, significant steps must be taken to stretch water supplies to protect the health and safety of all residents. Landscaping is one of the biggest users of water and we’re counting on you to do your part to save and conserve the Santa Clarita Valley’s precious water supplies!

HOA & CCR Enforcement

There is currently an Emergency Drought Declaration in effect for the entire State of California, and the State Legislature and the State Water Resources Control Board have passed legislation and emergency regulations related to the enforcement of landscaping requirements for residents. While SCV Water does not have enforcement authority pertaining to these specific regulations (HOA & CCR Enforcement), we wanted to provide this information for your use and review.

Importantly, State Law prohibits HOAs from fining or threatening to fine residents for letting their grass brown/die or for installing water-efficient landscaping during a drought emergency, and once the drought is over, they cannot fine or require the homeowner to remove their water-efficient landscaping and put grass back in.

Here is the relevant section of the law, the current statewide conservation requirements, a helpful Fact Sheet, and other information you may find helpful, including a link to SCV Water’s water conservation ordinance, which includes additional important water conservation requirements that are presently in place and must be complied with.

• CA State Water Resources Control Board – HOA Fact Sheet
• California Civil Code Section 4735
• CA State Water Resources Control Board – Statewide Requirements for Conserving Water (see Pg. 5)
• State Water Resources Control Board – Resolution No. 2022-0002 (see Pg. 6)
• SCV Water Conservation and Water Supply Shortage Ordinance

SCV Water is providing our Commercial, Industrial, Institutional, Homeowners Association, and Common Interest Development customers with information about the ban, including:

We encourage you to communicate with your landscape contractor to determine the best course of action for your property.

What is the ban on non-functional turf?

Non-Functional Turf (NFT) is mowed grass that is ornamental and not otherwise used for human recreation purposes. It applies to the turf maintained by SCV Water’s Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional (CII) customers including common areas of Homeowners Associations as well as Common Interest Developments.

On June 16, 2022, the State Water Resources Control Board issued a statewide ban on the watering of non-functional turf with potable water, effective for one year, unless extended. This ban will stretch water supplies to protect the health and safety of all residents.

NFT does not apply to residential properties, school fields, sports fields, and areas regularly used for civic or community events.

There are a few exemptions including areas needed to water trees, shrubs, perennials, and native/drought-tolerant grasses.

To learn more about the ban including enforcement, penalties and exceptions, read our Non-Functional Turf Emergency Watering Ban bulletin.

What about enforcement and penalties?

While the State Water Resources Control Board emergency order gives SCV Water the authority to enforce the ban and levy $500-a-day fines for non-compliance; at this time, we are prioritizing education, engagement, and program support.

Over the past several decades when severe droughts have occurred in California, Santa Clarita Valley property owners and residents have answered the call to reduce water use. We are counting on the same positive effort this time and fully appreciate and recognize how your leadership encourages and enhances the community’s drought response and water conservation efforts.

How do I comply?

Here are a few ways to help you make the most of your landscape assets while observing the NFT watering ban.

1. TURN IT OFF. If you have not already done so, CII and HOA customers should immediately turn off irrigation systems that ONLY water the NFT areas. 2. CAP IT. Cap individual sprinkler heads that water NFT areas without impacting the irrigation of trees, shrubs and perennials. 
3. CONVERT IT. Most, if not all, areas designated as NFT should be permanently converted to drought-tolerant or native “SCV Friendly Plants.” Learn more about our Lawn Replacement Program.

 

For a more in-depth look at the ways to comply, review our NFT Smart Practice Guide.

We encourage customers to communicate with your landscape contractor to determine the best course of action for your property.

 

WATER-SAVING ACTIONS FOR BUSINESSES AND LANDSCAPE CUSTOMERS

Start by turning a few simple water-saving practices into habits and soon, you’ll be living that water-saving lifestyle!

COMMERCIAL CUSTOMERS

Businesses, schools, HOAs and irrigation customers – water savings opportunities are everywhere, including where you learn and work!

• Schools and businesses get a free site survey to discover water-saving opportunities—up to 320 gal/day
• Large landscape/HOAs, a free site survey could find savings of 7,000 gallons per 1,000 square feet
• Convert to high-efficiency irrigation equipment to save up to 131 gal/day
• Swap your water-thirsty lawn for a water-wise landscape and save up to 320 gal/day