This page records what the Southern Nevada Water Authority and University of Nevada, Reno
Extension publish about lawns and turf in the Las Vegas Valley: what the turf-replacement law
requires, when irrigation is permitted, which grasses are allowed and suited to the climate, and
when they can be established. Each figure is attributed to the publication it comes from, with the
date it was read.
The turf-replacement requirement
Nonfunctional, decorative turf in the Las Vegas Valley must be removed by December 31, 2026, and
its use is prohibited beyond that date. This requirement comes from Nevada Assembly Bill 356 and is
administered through the Southern Nevada Water Authority. It applies to decorative turf rather than
to functional recreation space.
Source: Nevada Assembly Bill 356, via the Southern Nevada Water Authority —
snwa.com. Read 2026-07-26.
When irrigation is permitted
Watering days are assigned by address into groups. From May through August, sprinkler irrigation
is not permitted between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. The assigned-group schedule and the seasonal hour
restriction apply together, so a permitted day still carries the mid-day prohibition.
Source: Southern Nevada Water Authority —
snwa.com. Read 2026-07-26.
Which grasses are allowed, and which suit the climate
One species carries a county-level restriction. Common bermudagrass cannot be planted in Clark
County due to allergies from its pollen production. That restriction sits alongside the regional
species list, so a grass named as suitable for the Mojave Desert generally is not automatically
permitted here.
| Grass | Status in the Las Vegas Valley | Published basis |
|---|---|---|
| Common bermudagrass | Cannot be planted in Clark County | Pollen-production allergies (FS-11-54) |
| Tall fescue | Best-tolerating cool-season option | Tolerates desert summer heat the best of the cool-season grasses suitable for residential landscapes, and is easily established from seed (FS-11-54). Turf-type tall fescue is the most popular lawngrass in the transition zone of the Mojave Desert (FS-11-52). |
| Hybrid bermudagrass, zoysiagrass, buffalograss, seashore paspalum, St. Augustine | Named warm-season options for the urban Mojave Desert | FS-11-52 species list, read together with the Clark County restriction above |
Sources: UNR Extension FS-11-54 —
extension.unr.edu FS-11-54;
UNR Extension FS-11-52 —
extension.unr.edu FS-11-52.
Read 2026-07-30.
Establishment windows
| Grass type | Method | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-season | Seed or sprigs | April through June |
| Warm-season | Sod | Extends the season an additional month, to the beginning of August |
| Cool-season | Seed | February through March, and mid-September through mid-October |
Source: UNR Extension FS-11-54 —
extension.unr.edu FS-11-54.
Read 2026-07-30.
Frequently asked questions
Does every lawn have to be removed by the end of 2026?
No. The requirement covers nonfunctional, decorative turf in the Las Vegas Valley. Functional
recreation space is treated differently under Nevada Assembly Bill 356.
Can common bermudagrass be planted here?
No. Common bermudagrass cannot be planted in Clark County due to allergies from its pollen
production, per UNR Extension FS-11-54.
Which grass handles the summer best?
Among cool-season grasses suitable for residential landscapes, tall fescue tolerates desert
summer heat the best and can be established from seed (FS-11-54).
When can a new lawn be started?
Warm-season grasses from seed or sprigs run April through June, with sod extending to the
beginning of August. Cool-season seeding runs February through March and mid-September through
mid-October (FS-11-54).
Can a permitted watering day be used at midday in summer?
No. From May through August, sprinkler irrigation is not permitted between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.,
including on an assigned watering day.
Sources
- Nevada Assembly Bill 356 (via SNWA) — www.snwa.com (read 2026-07-26)
- Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) — www.snwa.com (read 2026-07-26)
- UNR Extension FS-11-52 (Morris & Devitt, 2011), Turfgrasses for Urban Mojave Desert Landscapes — extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=3546 (read 2026-07-30)
- UNR Extension FS-11-54 (Morris & Devitt, 2011), Lawn Establishment in the Mojave Desert — extension.unr.edu/publication.aspx?PubID=3321 (read 2026-07-30)
Information on this page was read from the sources listed above on the dates shown.
Rules and publications change; the issuing body is authoritative.
By the Las Vegas Landscape Pros Editorial Team. Reviewed for Mojave Desert
landscaping accuracy.