Definitions and Criteria of Non-Functional Turf

Non-Functional Turf Definitions: A Guide for Communities

As drought, climate pressures, and rising temperatures strain regional water supplies, states and municipalities are increasingly restricting non-functional turf to save water. Concurrently, state-level regulations are setting statutory limits on non-functional turf (NFT) across commercial, institutional, industrial, and multi-family properties, creating another incentive for communities to define NFT locally.

This resource provides an overview of how different jurisdictions define non-functional versus functional turf across the Western U.S., offering examples for other communities looking to draft their own local definitions.