Californians' Fake Lawns Protected By New Law

SACRAMENTO (AP) — Cities in drought-stricken California can no longer stop residents from installing fake grass to replace their water-guzzling lawns.

Gov. Jerry Brown on Friday signed a bill into law preventing cities and counties from banning artificial turf and other drought-tolerant landscaping.

AB1164 by Glendale Assemblyman Mike Gatto responds to a few communities that prohibited artificial turf because it was low quality, unlike today's fake grass that looks real.

California is enduring a fourth year of drought, with residents being urged to save water in part by letting their lawns turn brown.

Brown this year ordered Californians to cut their water use by 25 percent. Residents have met that target for three consecutive months.

The new law takes effect immediately.

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