Compton, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing statute
- Cal. Civil Code § 4735
- Last amended
- 2015 (AB 786), eff. Oct. 11, 2015
- Applies to
- Compton HOAs/common interest developments
- HOA turf ban
- Void and unenforceable
- Drought watering fines
- Barred during declared emergencies
- HOA retained power
- Conforming design standards only
Summary
California Civil Code Section 4735 voids any Compton homeowners association rule that bans or effectively blocks artificial turf. Governing documents, CC&Rs, and architectural or landscaping guidelines in Compton common interest developments cannot prohibit synthetic grass, though the association may still apply design standards that fully conform with the statute.
(a) Notwithstanding any other law, a provision of the governing documents or architectural or landscaping guidelines or policies shall be void and unenforceable if it does any of the following: (1) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of low water-using plants as a group or as a replacement of existing turf. (2) Prohibits, or includes conditions that have the effect of prohibiting, the use of artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass. ... (b) This section shall not prohibit an association from applying landscaping rules established in the governing documents, to the extent the rules fully conform with subdivision (a). (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this part, except as provided in subdivision (d), an association shall not impose a fine or assessment against an owner of a separate interest for reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns during any period for which either of the following have occurred: (1) The Governor has declared a state of emergency due to drought pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 8558 of the Government Code.
Full Breakdown
Section 4735(a) makes void and unenforceable any provision of an HOA's governing documents, or its architectural or landscaping guidelines and policies, that prohibits, or has the effect of prohibiting, the use of artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass. The same subsection protects low water-using plants installed as a group or as a turf replacement, and bars restrictions that conflict with a water-efficient landscape ordinance adopted under Government Code Section 65595(c) or with water-use rules adopted under Water Code Section 353 or 375.
Subsection (b) preserves the association's authority to apply landscaping rules in its governing documents, but only to the extent those rules 'fully conform' with subsection (a); a board cannot dress up an outright turf ban as a design guideline and expect it to hold. Subsection (c) separately bars an HOA from fining or assessing an owner for cutting back or stopping lawn watering during a governor-declared drought emergency under Government Code Section 8558(b), or during a local drought emergency declared under Section 8558(c). That drought-fine protection has a carve-out in subsection (d): it does not apply to an owner who already receives recycled water from a retail water supplier and fails to use it for landscaping irrigation.
Subsection (e) adds that an owner who installs water-efficient landscaping in response to a declared drought emergency cannot later be forced to reverse or remove it once the emergency ends. 5 (AB 786), effective October 11, 2015.
Violations & Fines
A Compton HOA clause banning artificial turf has no legal force under Section 4735(a)(2); an owner can install synthetic grass over a board's objection and challenge a denial based solely on that ban. The board keeps authority to enforce conforming design standards under subsection (b), such as material, color, or drainage specifications, so long as those standards do not amount to a prohibition. Any fine or special assessment an association levies against an owner for reducing lawn watering during a declared drought emergency is void under subsection (c), unless the recycled-water exception in subsection (d) applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my Compton HOA stop me from installing artificial turf?
Can the HOA still require design approval before I install turf?
Can my association fine me for letting the lawn go brown in a drought?
Does the drought-fine protection ever not apply?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Compton
How Compton compares: Most Artificial Turf-Friendly Cities·California rules heatmap·Compare Compton to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Artificial Turf in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle artificial turf.