The San Dieguito Water District banned the use of drinking water to irrigate decorative turf on commercial properties, one of three ordinances the board adopted unanimously on Wednesday, Sept. 16.

All five board members voted in favor of each measure. Mayor Bruce Ehlers, Deputy Mayor Jim O'Hara and council members Joy Lyndes, Marco San Antonio and Luke Shaffer serve as the SDWD board.

The turf ordinance, No. 2026-03, adds Article 31 to the district's administrative code, according to the district's adoption notice. It prohibits potable water for irrigating nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial and institutional properties, as well as on common areas maintained by homeowners' associations and common interest developments. Cemeteries are exempt. So are single-family homes.

Nonfunctional turf means decorative grass not regularly used for recreation or community activities. Examples include lawn strips along sidewalks, unused patches near building entrances, medians and parking-lot islands.

The ordinance implements California Assembly Bill 1572 (AB 1572), a 2023 state law that phases in the ban by property type. Government-owned properties must comply by Jan. 1, 2027. Commercial and institutional properties face a Jan. 1, 2028, deadline. HOA common areas have until Jan. 1, 2029, according to a legal summary by Best Best & Krieger. AB 1572 required water agencies to adopt implementing rules before January 2027.

The board also adopted Ordinance No. 2026-01, which adds Section 20.10 to the administrative code. That measure prohibits unauthorized connections to fire hydrants and establishes penalties for water theft, according to the district's adoption notice.

A third ordinance, No. 2026-02, updates the district's water shortage response program. It removes outdated language in Articles 29 and 30 and aligns the code with a Water Shortage Contingency Plan the board approved May 20, according to the adoption notice.

The board discussed the proposed code changes at a special meeting on Aug. 19 before bringing them to a vote Sept. 16. All three ordinances were introduced and adopted in a single reading.

Copies of the ordinances are on file at the Board Clerk's office, 505 S. Vulcan Ave., Encinitas, and may be viewed between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The next regular SDWD board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 21.