Lodi, CA Landscaping Rules: Artificial Turf (2026)
Key Facts
- Residential ban
- Prohibited by state law (Gov Code §53087.7)
- HOA ban
- Prohibited by Civil Code §4735
- Commercial NFT deadline
- January 1, 2028 (AB 1572)
- HOA common-area NFT deadline
- January 1, 2029 (AB 1572)
- AB 1572 penalty
- Up to $1,000 per day
Summary
Lodi does not prohibit artificial turf on private residential property. State law (Government Code §53087.7 and Civil Code §4735) bars cities and HOAs from banning synthetic grass installed for water conservation. New non-functional turf on commercial/public sites must be replaced or removed under AB 1572 starting in 2027-2029.
4735. (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. (3) Has the effect of prohibiting or restricting compliance with either of the following: (A) A water-efficient landscape ordinance adopted or in effect pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 65595 of the Government Code.
Full Breakdown
Lodi's Municipal Code does not contain a ban on artificial turf for single-family residential use. 7 (added by AB 349, 2015) prohibits cities and counties from enacting or enforcing any ordinance that prohibits, or has the effect of prohibiting, the installation of synthetic grass or artificial turf on residential property. Civil Code §4735 likewise prohibits HOAs from banning drought-tolerant landscaping including artificial turf. For non-residential and HOA common areas, California AB 1572 (Stats. 2023, ch. 263) bans the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf - meaning purely decorative lawn at commercial, industrial, institutional (CII), and HOA common-area sites - with phased deadlines: January 1, 2027 (public agency property), January 1, 2028 (CII), and January 1, 2029 (HOA common areas).
Civil penalties up to $1,000 per day apply for noncompliance. AB 1572 does not apply to private single-family residential landscaping. Lodi's MWELO implementation also limits new residential turf to 25% of landscape area, which has driven many homeowners toward artificial turf or low-water groundcovers.
Violations & Fines
There is no Lodi fine for installing artificial turf at a home. For commercial/HOA sites that continue to irrigate non-functional turf with potable water after the AB 1572 phase-in dates, the State Water Resources Control Board and local water suppliers can assess civil penalties up to $1,000 per day per violation under Water Code §1846.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Lodi or my HOA stop me from installing artificial turf?
Does AB 1572 apply to my front lawn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lodi
How Lodi compares: Most Artificial Turf-Friendly Cities·California rules heatmap·Compare Lodi to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Artificial Turf in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle artificial turf.