Calaveras County, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)

Installing artificial (synthetic) turf on residential property in unincorporated Calaveras County is generally allowed and is not prohibited by any county ordinance. Synthetic lawns avoid irrigation and mowing, which aligns with the County's water-efficiency and drought goals. For development projects, the Zoning Code's Chapter 17.20 landscaping and water-efficient landscaping standards (Section 17.20.030) govern landscape plans, and projects should confirm how synthetic turf is treated within required landscaped areas. The major regulatory driver is statewide: California Assembly Bill 1572 (2023) prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf (purely ornamental grass not used for recreation) on commercial, industrial, institutional, and HOA common-area properties, phased in beginning January 1, 2027 for public agencies, January 1, 2028 for commercial/institutional sites, and January 1, 2029 for HOA common areas. AB 1572 does not ban functional turf (parks, sports fields, recreation areas) and does not target single-family home lawns, but it accelerates conversion to drought-tolerant landscaping or synthetic turf for affected ornamental areas. Homeowners considering synthetic turf should still observe good drainage and any defensible-space and stormwater considerations; HOAs in California generally cannot prohibit low-water or synthetic landscaping under state law.