The City of Santa Clara and Valley Water define turf in Santa Clara County below.

Functional Turf

Irrigated lawn:

• Serving a human function, including recreation, civic or community events.
• On the property of a single-family home.
• On the property of a park used for sport, gathering or recreation.
• On a school field used for sport, gathering or recreation.
• On a sports field.
• On a golf course used directly for sport (driving ranges, chipping and putting greens, tee boxes, greens, fairways and rough).
• Needed for pet relief at veterinarian offices, boarding places and animal shelters.
• In cemeteries, used for visits and gathering.

Non-Functional Turf

Irrigated lawn that is not functional turf that includes, but is not limited to: 

• Turf that does not regularly serve a community or neighborhood function to humans.
• Turf that is only decorative or ornamental.
• Turf spaces fewer than 8 feet wide. 
• Turf located between private or public streets and sidewalks, such as parkways, parkstrips or mow strips. 
• Turf that lines driveways or parking lots.
• Turf in community or business areas like entryways or perimeters.
• Turf in street medians or roundabouts.

Effective January 1, 2027, all properties owned by the following are prohibited from using potable (drinking) water to irrigate non-functional turf:

• Local governments
• Local or regional public agencies
• Public water systems

Effective January 1, 2028, all additional institutional properties and all commercial and industrial properties are prohibited from using potable (drinking) water to irrigate non-functional turf.

Effective January 1, 2029, all common areas of properties of homeowners' associations, common interest developments and community service organizations or similar entities are prohibited from using potable (drinking) water to irrigate non-functional turf.

Citywide Water Use Restrictions and Prohibitions 

Per Section 1.C of the City’s Potable and Recycled Water System Rules and Regulations, the following restrictions and prohibitions are in effect at all times:

Prohibited for All Water Users

• Irrigating landscape between the hours of 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Runoff: water flowing on City sidewalks, gutters and/or streets
• Washing any paved surfaced like driveways or sidewalks
• Washing any vehicle using a hose without an operating automatic shut-off nozzle
• Use of decorative fountains, lakes or ponds without a recirculation pump
• Water waste from broken, defective or leaking plumbing, fire system or irrigation system
• Open faucet, hose bib or spigot
• Outdoor watering during or within 48 hours of measurable precipitation

Prohibited for Businesses, Construction & Restaurants

• Watering non-functional turf (decorative grass) with potable (drinking) water in commercial, industrial or institutional (CII) areas, including common areas of homeowners' associations (HOAs) 
• Watering grass on public street medians
• Street cleaning or construction site preparation, if recycled water is available
• Service of water by any restaurant unless requested by a patron
• Installation of a single-pass cooling system
• Installation and/or use of a non-recirculating, decorative fountain
• Construction of a non-recirculating conveyor car wash
• Irrigation of landscapes for newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations/requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Hotels/motels shall provide guests with the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily. Notice of this option shall be displayed prominently in each guestroom using easily understood terms and language.

Questions?

Email water@santaclaraca.gov for more information.