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2029 CA ban on lawn irrigation

Started by TerriS6 • 15 replies • 308 views

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TerriS6 (California)
Posts: 3,284
Posted:
Evidently, in 2029 California will ban the irrigation of HOA common area lawns.

"Common Area Water Restrictions (AB 1572) – Amended Water Code §10608.12 and §10608.14. This law will impose bans on irrigating nonfunctional turf (meaning grass that is not for recreational purposes, sports fields, or includes trees) starting in 2029." From Berding-Weil.com
LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679
Posted:
Nevada Legislators passed the same ban this past legislative session last year. Many HOA's
are scrambling now. Raising assessments, special assessments etc. They are in a mad scramble
ripping out grass and replacing it with fake grass and Xeeriscape.

My suggestion is to slow your roll and wait until the target date arrives. This is going to be expensive
and time-consuming. Not everyone has that kind of cabbage lying in a bank account to pay a special assessment.
I would raise assessments year over year to the max allowable, and bank that money in a short-term CD. Then
when the target date is near, then you find your needed cost to complete the project.
I feel this would be better received than a wham bam in your face up front mega special assessment.

JMHO
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
I don’t understand why this wasn’t the law in 2022.
WendyM5 (North Carolina)
Posts: 1,522
Posted:
I got about 200 yards of wood chips dumped behind our front entrance monument (10 dump trunk loads) over the last year. it's no longer a swamp when it rains and there is no grass to cut behind it.

Also

I got about 400 yards of wood chips dumped in our park for free, 70% of the people in our last election wanted less park grass cutting.

It' doesnt' have to cost a lot to get rid of grass, you just have to request free wood chips from a local arborist or on chipdrop website.

vis ta vie
DeanJ
Posts: 1,786
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By WendyM5 on 01/27/2024 2:52 PM
I got about 200 yards of wood chips dumped behind our front entrance monument (10 dump trunk loads) over the last year. it's no longer a swamp when it rains and there is no grass to cut behind it.

Also

I got about 400 yards of wood chips dumped in our park for free, 70% of the people in our last election wanted less park grass cutting.

It' doesnt' have to cost a lot to get rid of grass, you just have to request free wood chips from a local arborist or on chipdrop website.


Free wood chips can come from diseased or insect invested trees and kill the trees you have on your lot.
TimB4 (Tennessee)
Posts: 21,059
Posted:
Prior to making too many changes to landscape on common area, check with the zoning department.

Often, developments are approved with a specific landscape PLAT that must be complied with.
This is often done to mitigate the effects of pollution and urban heat.

This of course varies by State.

If you think I'm kidding, a person in my previous Association contacted the zoning commission because the Association cut down some trees.
The zoning commission threatened fines if we didn't have the trees that were on the original PLAT replanted within 30 days (we were able to get a small extension by showing we contracted for the work).

Therefore, please verify with your zoning commission prior to changing the landscape in common areas that you can make those changes (or how to make those changes).
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
This could be a good time to replace the lawns with native plants that won't need as much water ir maintenance. Look around to see if there's a landscaping company (or several) in your area with expertise on tbe subject and see what's possible for your community.
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
DavidG45 (Delaware)
Posts: 994
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By SheliaH on 01/28/2024 5:31 AM
This could be a good time to replace the lawns with native plants that won't need as much water ir maintenance. Look around to see if there's a landscaping company (or several) in your area with expertise on tbe subject and see what's possible for your community.


That is something I am looking to for our common areas. It seems to me that this is a net financial gain for HOAs, because the water bill and landscaping expenses are significant.
SheliaH (Indiana)
Posts: 6,964
Posted:
Correct. Of course, there are people who will need to be convinced because they're used to lawns. The people who make money by planting and maintaining lawns will also talk about lawns can be good for the environment if they're properly managed - like these folks:

https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/lawn-care-2/lawn-removal/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWhen%20properly%20managed%2C%20grass%20and,serve%20as%20a%20wildfire%20barrier

The pro native plants people then counter with this:

https://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=56472#:~:text=Removing%20the%20lawn%20results%20in,less%20time%20spent%20on%20upkeep.&text=Many%20homeowners%20still%20want%20a,%2For%20%22walkable%22%20groundcovers

Bottom line: boards or an advisory committee shoukd do their research, ask tons of questions,nsnd have one or two special homeowner meetings where both sides can make a presentation and people can ask their own questions. It might not hurt at all to get some numbers as to how much money can be saved because fir dome, that's the only thing they care about. Personally, I like grass, but having enough clean water that isn't polluted with fertilizer runoff and other crap is more important.
If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. Marcus Aurelius
TerriS6 (California)
Posts: 3,284
Posted:
One reason I posted this link is for the homeowners whose boards are trying to retroactively force them to remove rock gardens and impose certain types of gardens. Those board might want to re-think their rules.
TerriS6 (California)
Posts: 3,284
Posted:
On wood chips: according to Calfire, landscaping laws prohibit the use of wood chips within 100' of a house.
LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TimB4 on 01/28/2024 3:55 AM
Prior to making too many changes to landscape on common area, check with the zoning department.

Often, developments are approved with a specific landscape PLAT that must be complied with.
This is often done to mitigate the effects of pollution and urban heat.

This of course varies by State.

If you think I'm kidding, a person in my previous Association contacted the zoning commission because the Association cut down some trees.
The zoning commission threatened fines if we didn't have the trees that were on the original PLAT replanted within 30 days (we were able to get a small extension by showing we contracted for the work).

Therefore, please verify with your zoning commission prior to changing the landscape in common areas that you can make those changes (or how to make those changes).

In these mandates, lawns are illegal, or what they call nonfunctional grass. Trees stay grass goes.
The only two options are artificial turf or Xeriscape aka crushed gravel. For plants, drought-tolerable
plants like cacti and different styles od decorative palms and flowers.
LetA (Nevada)
Posts: 2,679
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By TerriS6 on 01/28/2024 8:05 AM
One reason I posted this link is for the homeowners whose boards are trying to retroactively force them to remove rock gardens and impose certain types of gardens. Those board might want to re-think their rules.

State law would trump HOA covenants in this case, just like here in Nevada.
TerriS6 (California)
Posts: 3,284
Posted:
Yes but not for five years from now.
WendyM5 (North Carolina)
Posts: 1,522
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By DeanJ on 01/27/2024 7:04 PM
Posted By WendyM5 on 01/27/2024 2:52 PM
I got about 200 yards of wood chips dumped behind our front entrance monument (10 dump trunk loads) over the last year. it's no longer a swamp when it rains and there is no grass to cut behind it.

Also

I got about 400 yards of wood chips dumped in our park for free, 70% of the people in our last election wanted less park grass cutting.

It' doesnt' have to cost a lot to get rid of grass, you just have to request free wood chips from a local arborist or on chipdrop website.



Free wood chips can come from diseased or insect invested trees and kill the trees you have on your lot.

Urban myth. I've had about 16 tractor trailer loads of wood chips dumped at a location with 2.5 acres of trees, not a single issue over 10 years.
the wood chips typically get to 120 F from decomposition for a week. killing any bugs and baking out any issues.
vis ta vie

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