Water Use Rules in Cedar Park, TX

If you live in Cedar Park or are thinking about moving there, water use rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Cedar Park has 3 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of water use rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Recycled Water Rules

Cedar Park's water reclamation facility supplies treated effluent for irrigation at City parks and facilities, replacing potable water at sites like Brushy Creek Sports Park and the field operations center.

Key details: Program type: City-operated reclaimed water irrigation. Field ops center use: ~60,000 gallons/month reclaimed water. Brushy Creek Sports Park: ~0.8 million gallons/month treated effluent. Governing law: Code of Ordinances § 18.11.013. Adopted: Ordinance CO24.06.27.E3, June 2024.

This section describes a City infrastructure program; it does not impose requirements or penalties on residents, and no violation exists for private water use choices under this provision.

The rules around recycled water rules in Cedar Park lean permissive, but that does not mean anything goes.

Leak Reporting Duty

Cedar Park holds property owners, agents, and tenants responsible for water loss and damage from leaks in pipes or plumbing on the customer's side of the meter, with a yearly billing adjustment available.

Key details: Citation: § 18.01.009. Liable party: Owner, agent, or tenant. Adjustment: Once per year, written request. Credit formula: Half of excess usage. Deadline: Within 6 months of repair.

There's no fine for the leak itself; owners simply bear the water-loss cost, and a missed 6-month deadline or an ineligible leak type forfeits the § 18.01.012 billing adjustment.

Turf Replacement Rebates

Cedar Park encourages drought-resistant xeriscape landscaping through public education, plant examples at City Hall, and provisions in the City's landscape and tree regulations, rather than mandating turf replacement citywide.

Key details: Program type: Voluntary drought-resistant landscaping education. Resources: Plant examples displayed at City Hall. Related code: Landscape and tree rules, Article 14.07. Governing law: Code of Ordinances § 18.11.014. Adopted: Ordinance CO24.06.27.E3, June 2024.

This section is educational, not regulatory; the City imposes no fine or penalty for keeping traditional turf, so there is no code violation for declining to xeriscape a residential yard.

If you are coming from a city with tighter rules, you will find Cedar Park gives residents more flexibility on turf replacement rebates.

The Bottom Line

Compared to many U.S. cities, Cedar Park gives residents more room on water use rules. 2 of the 3 rules here are rated permissive. But permissive does not mean unregulated. There are still requirements, and the city does enforce them when violations are reported.

Keep in mind that Cedar Park can amend these rules at any council meeting. For the most current version of any rule mentioned here, check the specific ordinance page, where we track updates as they happen.