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8 | Four Seasons Hemet Herald | FEBRUARY 2026 | As Four Seasons continues to evolve, our HOA is working to ensure we're doing our part to conserve water and comply with new state regulations. AB 1572 is a new law that requires us to remove non-functional turf and replace it with drought-tolerant plants and trees. This change will not only help us reduce our water usage, but it will also impact the look and feel of our community. Here is the AB 1572 compliance timeline: • Jan. 1, 2027: State and local government properties will be required to cease watering nonfunctional turf with potable (drinking) water. This initial phase sets an example for public entities. • Jan. 1, 2028: The ban extends to all commercial, industrial, and institutional properties. This broad category includes business parks, shopping centers, office complexes, hospitals, universities, and other non-residential establishments. • Jan. 1, 2029: Common areas within Homeowners Associations (HOA) and other shared communities will come under the purview of the law. This ensures that communal green spaces within multi-family developments also adhere to the new water conservation standards. It is critical to note that this law does not apply to single-family residential properties, though homeowners are still strongly encouraged to adopt water-wise landscaping practices. AB 1572 is Crucial for California's Future: AB 1572 is a pivot toward cultivating a more water-wise and resilient California. By strategically eliminating wasteful potable water use for nonfunctional landscapes, the law directly contributes to: • Protecting Our Drinking Water: It ensures that a finite and essential resource is prioritized for human consumption and critical needs, rather than being expended on purely ornamental purposes. • Enhancing Water Security: Reducing overall water demand strengthens the state's ability to withstand future droughts and climate variability, building greater resilience into its water infrastructure and management. • Preparing for a Drier Future: As climate models predict increasingly dry conditions for California, AB 1572 proactively prepares the state for these realities by embedding water conservation into its legal and environmental framework. In essence, AB 1572 is more than just a ban; it is a catalyst for a more sustainable, water-efficient, and environmentally conscious future for California. Our HOA is working hard to get all the appropriate rebates to cover the cost of this mandatory change so that no cost is put on our residences. As these projects progress, you can read about them in project newsletters and future Herald articles. See something that needs repair? The more eyes we have on the lookout in the community, the better. If you see broken irrigation, f looded areas, or dead/dying plants, please take a photo and email it to Maria Donti at maria.donti@fsresidential.com. Landscape Committee Waterwise plants can look beautiful in the commercial landscape Understanding the New Law on Water Use and Nonfunctional Turf

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