Water Restrictions: Drought Rules That Could Get You Fined

If you live in the western or southern United States, outdoor water use is regulated year-round and can be severely restricted during droughts. These are not suggestions. Cities actively enforce watering schedules and can fine violators hundreds of dollars.

Year-round restrictions

Many cities impose permanent watering schedules even outside drought conditions. San Antonio limits residential irrigation to once per week year-round, with your watering day determined by your address. Most California cities restrict watering to specific days (typically 2 to 3 days per week) and prohibit watering between 10 AM and 6 PM when evaporation is highest. Denver limits watering to 3 days per week from May through October.

Drought stage escalation

Cities in drought-prone areas use tiered restriction systems that escalate as conditions worsen. San Antonio's Edwards Aquifer triggers are the most detailed: Stage 1 limits watering to once per week, Stage 2 to once every two weeks, Stage 3 prohibits all landscape irrigation except hand watering of foundations and new landscaping, and Stage 4 prohibits all outdoor water use. Each stage is triggered by specific aquifer levels.

What gets restricted beyond lawn watering

During moderate to severe drought stages, restrictions typically expand beyond lawn irrigation to include: washing vehicles at home (commercial car washes with recycled water are usually exempt), filling swimming pools, using ornamental fountains, power washing driveways and sidewalks, and in extreme cases flushing fire hydrants for non-emergency purposes.

The fines

First violations during drought restrictions typically result in a warning. Second violations bring fines of $50 to $250. Third and subsequent violations escalate to $200 to $500. Some cities, including Los Angeles, have imposed fines of up to $1,000 for repeat drought violators. In extreme cases, water districts can install flow restrictors that reduce your water pressure to a trickle.

Smart controller exemptions

A growing number of cities exempt properties with EPA WaterSense-certified smart irrigation controllers from some restrictions. These controllers adjust watering based on weather data and soil conditions, reducing waste. Some water utilities offer rebates of $50 to $200 for installing smart controllers.