San Jose council votes today on ban on watering decorative grass at businesses and HOAs
The rule follows state law, starts in 2027 and does not cover single-family home lawns.
SAN JOSE - The San Jose City Council will vote Tuesday, Oct. 27, on an ordinance that bans using drinking water on decorative grass at businesses and institutions, according to the draft ordinance. The ban follows a state law. It covers lawns nobody uses for play or events, such as grass along streets and in parking lots.
The ban starts Jan. 1, 2027, for property owned by local governments, public agencies and water systems. Other commercial, industrial and institutional property follows in 2028. Homeowners association common areas follow in 2029. Public property in low-income areas follows in 2031 or later, once state money is available. Single-family homes are not on the list.
Sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, golf courses and pet exercise areas are exempt. So is watering needed to keep trees healthy. The ordinance does not require removing grass. A city staff memo says the city expects to take an "education-first approach to enforcement."
The council meets at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall.