Dublin's Municipal Code has no citywide ban on residential artificial turf, and California Civil Code Section 4735 bars HOAs from prohibiting artificial turf or other synthetic grass surfaces. New permitted landscape projects must still meet the City's Water-Efficient Landscaping Regulations (DMC Ch. 8.88) and design standards.
Dublin does not have a Municipal Code provision banning artificial turf at single-family homes, and state law strongly protects its use. California Civil Code Section 4735 provides that a homeowners association may not enforce any architectural or landscaping rule that prohibits, or has the effect of prohibiting, the use of artificial turf or any other synthetic surface that resembles grass. An HOA may adopt reasonable design and quality restrictions on the type of artificial turf, but not ones that effectively make installation impossible, and owners who install water-saving landscaping during a drought emergency cannot be forced to reverse it afterward. At the local level, where a landscape project requires a Site Development Review or Building Permit, Dublin's Landscaping and Fencing Regulations (Chapter 8.72) and Water-Efficient Landscaping Regulations (Chapter 8.88, implementing MWELO) apply to the overall design - artificial turf is generally treated as a non-pervious or special surface for water-budget and stormwater purposes rather than as irrigated turf. Note that under California's AB 1572 (Water Code Section 10608.14), the broader state restriction on irrigating "nonfunctional turf" with potable water targets live grass on commercial, institutional, and HOA common areas, not artificial turf - so converting decorative live turf to synthetic grass can help with that statewide phase-in. Confirm any HOA design standards and City permit requirements before installing.
No Dublin penalty for residential artificial turf itself. HOA rules that effectively ban synthetic grass are unenforceable under Civil Code Section 4735. Permitted landscape projects must still satisfy Chapter 8.88 design standards.
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See how other cities in Alameda County handle artificial turf.
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