California bars HOAs from outlawing artificial grass

More and more homeowners in the desert Southwest are replacing their natural grass with artificial turf, such as the Act Global product seen here. Photo: Act GlobalMore and more homeowners in the desert Southwest are replacing their natural grass with artificial turf, such as the Act Global product seen here.
Photo: Act Global

California homeowners who opt for artificial turf as a way to conserve water during the continuing drought are now protected from homeowner associations’ sanctions thanks to Assembly Bill 349, which Gov. Jerry Brown signed Sept. 4.

The law, which became effective immediately, bars homeowner associations from forbidding the installation of synthetic grass. About 4.8 million homeowners in the state are subject to homeowner associations’ regulations on yard use, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The associations are still allowed to make landscaping rules, but not in any way that bans artificial lawns.

Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez introduced the measure and it made it through legislature with out a single “no” vote in the Senate, according to The Sacramento Bee.

“Across the state, Californians are making great strides to reduce their water use and hit aggressive benchmarks for conservation, and this new common-sense law will give homeowners one more way to save as this drought continues,” Gonzalez said in a statement. “The grass may be fake, but the amount of water a homeowner can save by installing it is very real.”

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