Nevada Law Bans Nonfunctional Grass Watering in 2027 | The Locally Times
A 2021 state law will prohibit Colorado River water for nonfunctional grass on commercial, multi-family, and government properties starting in 2027.
While single-family front yards can remain green, a sweeping ban on watering nonfunctional grass on commercial, multi-family, and government properties is set to take effect in Nevada in 2027, fundamentally altering the state's landscape. The Nevada Legislature enacted the law in 2021, prohibiting the use of Colorado River water, delivered by Water Authority member agencies, to irrigate specific types of turf. The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) reports that this measure is part of its extensive conservation initiatives, which have been in place for over 25 years. These efforts aim to reduce community water use and prepare for potential water cuts, driven by ongoing drought conditions. The law does not apply to grass in single-family residences, such as front and back yards, focusing instead on broader commercial and public spaces. A Citizens Advisory Committee assisted the Water Authority Board of Directors in developing these definitions. The SNWA identifies several categories of nonfunctional turf that will be subject to the ban: * **Streetscape turf:** This includes grass located along public or private streets, streetscape sidewalks, driveways, and parking lots. It also covers turf within community, park, and business streetscape frontage areas, as well as medians and roundabouts. * **Frontage, courtyard, interior, and building-adjacent turf:** This category encompasses grass in front of, between, behind, or otherwise adjacent to buildings on properties not zoned exclusively for single-family residences. It includes maintenance and common areas within these properties. * **Certain HOA-managed landscape areas:** The ban extends to turf managed by a homeowner association that does not provide a recreational benefit to the community or otherwise fails to qualify as functional turf, regardless of the property's zoning. To be considered functional, grass must meet specific criteria: it must be located at least 10 feet from a street, installed on slopes less than 25 percent, and not situated within street medians, along streetscapes, or at the front of entryways to parks, commercial sites, neighborhoods, or subdivisions. Examples of functional turf include active or programmed recreation turf, athletic fields, designated-use-area turf, golf course play areas, some pet relief turf, playground turf, or resident area turf. ## Conservation Efforts and Available Rebates The prohibition on nonfunctional grass watering is a direct response to the long-term need for water conservation in Southern Nevada. The Southern Nevada Water Authority has actively pursued aggressive conservation initiatives for more than two decades to safeguard the community's water supply and mitigate the effects of drought and potential reductions in Colorado River water allocations. The SNWA states that reducing this type of grass will decrease Southern Nevada's Colorado River consumption. To assist property owners with the transition, the Southern Nevada Water Authority offers the Water Smart Landscapes rebate program. Commercial, multi-family, and government property owners are eligible to apply for this rebate, which provides financial incentives for removing grass and replacing it with desert landscaping. Additionally, the program includes a $100 bonus for every new tree installed as part of the landscape conversion. This initiative aims to encourage the adoption of water-efficient landscaping practices across affected properties. ## Impact and Unanswered Questions The upcoming ban represents a significant shift in landscape management for a broad range of properties across Southern Nevada. Businesses, apartment complexes, government facilities, and certain homeowner association areas will need to adapt their outdoor spaces to comply with the new regulations. While the law spares single-family residential lawns, it will visibly alter the appearance of many public and commercial environments that residents frequent for shopping, work, or recreation. The Southern Nevada Water Authority's public information details the scope and definitions of the law, along with available rebate programs. However, the available records do not specify the exact financial implications for property owners who must convert their landscaping, beyond the existence of the rebate program. The total amount of Colorado River water expected to be saved by this ban is also not detailed in the provided information. Furthermore, the specific timeline for enforcement of the ban after 2027 and any potential penalties for non-compliance are not outlined. The records also do not provide an estimate of the current volume of water used to irrigate nonfunctional grass in Southern Nevada, nor do they detail the potential impact on property values for commercial and multi-family properties following landscape conversions. ## Key Questions **Which types of properties are affected by the ban?** The law applies to commercial, multi-family, and government properties in Southern Nevada, as well as certain HOA-managed areas, but not to single-family residences. **What is considered nonfunctional grass?** Nonfunctional grass includes turf along streets, in medians, in courtyards, or adjacent to buildings on non-single-family properties, and HOA areas that do not provide recreational benefit. **Are there programs to help property owners comply?** Yes, the Southern Nevada Water Authority offers the Water Smart Landscapes rebate for removing grass and replacing it with desert landscaping, including a bonus for new trees.