As of late 2025 there is no ban on artificial turf in unincorporated Sonoma County, but the County has raised environmental and health concerns and directed staff to develop a model ordinance that could let jurisdictions consider a moratorium. Installations tied to permitted projects must still satisfy the County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.
Unincorporated Sonoma County currently permits artificial (synthetic) turf - there is no countywide ban or moratorium in place as of December 2025. However, Zero Waste Sonoma and the County have flagged significant concerns about artificial turf, including potential pollution from microplastics and chemicals of concern, possible human-health implications, elevated surface temperatures and urban-heat-island effects, and end-of-life disposal challenges given the lack of recycling infrastructure. In response, the Board of Supervisors directed staff to develop a model ordinance that would allow Sonoma County jurisdictions to consider options for placing a moratorium on artificial-turf installations for public, private, or commercial spaces - a process expected to take roughly 12 months for research, drafting, and stakeholder engagement before any ordinance is considered, with updates tied to state Department of Toxic Substances Control findings. Practically, homeowners can install artificial turf today, but if the work is part of a project subject to the County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Code Chapter 7D3), the overall landscape must still comply with that ordinance's standards. Note that artificial turf typically does not count as living landscaping and generally does not qualify for water-district turf-removal rebates, which require replacement with living, drought-tolerant plants.
Because no turf ban currently exists, there is no specific penalty for installing artificial turf. Any installation connected to a permitted project must still pass the County's WELO landscape review. Property owners should watch for the County's pending model ordinance, which could change the rules in the future.
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