Nevada is the first state in the nation to outlaw grass at existing non-single-family properties through a new law that prohibits use of Colorado River water to irrigate decorative grass by the end of 2026. The turf removal law targets nonfunctional grass in streetscapes, medians, parking lots and other areas not used for recreation in Southern Nevada.
When fully enacted, the new law will help save billions of gallons of Southern Nevada’s water supply by requiring the removal or replacement of nonrecreational grass at commercial properties, homeowners associations (HOAs) and multi-family developments. It does not affect single-family residences.
“Southern Nevada residents have done a fantastic job responding to our call for conservation and taking out grass in their yards,” said J.C. Davis, Enterprise Conservation Manager at the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA). Davis added that while homeowners have removed nearly 70 percent of their nonfunctional grass, the owners of non-single-family properties have taken out less than a third of their water-thirsty, decorative grass.
“The business community still has millions of square feet of decorative grass at their properties,” Davis said, noting that Southern Nevada’s water supply has been reduced by 7 billion gallons this year due to a federally-declared shortage on the Colorado River, the source of 90 percent of the community’s water supply. “As we manage these shortage conditions, which we expect to continue for the foreseeable future, we need to reduce our outdoor water use to protect our water supply.”
The law applies to purely ornamental grass that serves no recreational function and makes it illegal for SNWA and its member agencies to deliver Colorado River water to non-single-family properties to irrigate this grass as of Jan. 1, 2027.
The areas targeted by the turf removal law are located at HOA entrances; apartments, condominium and commercial complexes; streetscapes and medians.
Davis acknowledged that public perception is that Las Vegas resorts use the most water in Southern Nevada, but they actually use less than 5 percent of the community’s water supply, while employing about 21 percent of Nevada’s workforce and greatly contributing to the state’s economy.
“Most resort water use is indoors, and we capture, treat and reuse almost all our indoor water in Southern Nevada,” Davis said, adding that recycling nearly every drop of indoor water use helps stretch the community’s limited water supply. “The biggest consumptive use of water at resorts is their cooling systems, and we’re working with the industry to move toward more water efficient systems.”
The SNWA also is working with Southern Nevada businesses to help them make the transition from water-thirsty grass to water-smart landscapes. The SNWA Water Smart Landscapes rebate offers a cash incentive of up to $3 a square foot of grass replaced with drip-irrigated trees and plants. (Some restrictions apply.)
“Desert-adapted plants and trees bring color, texture and shade to the landscape, which is important to combat urban heat island impacts. These landscapes also use significantly less water than grass,” Davis said, explaining that a drip-irrigated landscape consumes about 75 percent less water than turf. “Every time you replace a square foot of grass with a square foot of drip-irrigated plants and trees, you’re buying this community a 55-gallon barrel of water.”
Davis suggested Southern Nevada business owners and property managers contact SNWA to determine how their businesses may be impacted by the new law and to discuss other water-saving incentives.
“Our staff can meet with you and help you plan ahead. There are a lot of property owners applying for these incentive dollars, so we’re urging everyone to begin the process earlier rather than later,” Davis said. He noted that WSL rebate applications from HOAs and commercial properties have increased dramatically, which may drive up costs for plant materials and landscape installation services as the deadline to comply with the new law nears.
Find out how you can take advantage of SNWA’s landscape rebate and other cash incentives by contacting one of SNWA’s business experts at 702-862-3740 or email cashincentives@snwa.com. Learn more on snwa.com.