Clovis's Water Use Rules: The Rules That Matter

Every city handles water use rules a little differently. In Clovis, California, there are 2 distinct rules that residents and property owners should be aware of. Some are stricter than what neighboring cities enforce, and others are more relaxed. Here is what you need to know.

Turf Replacement Rebates

Clovis's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance caps turf grass at 25% of the landscape area on residential lots and bars it outright on qualifying nonresidential projects. The rule applies to new landscapes of 500 square feet or more and rehabilitated ones of 2,500 square feet or more, and it also bans turf on steep slopes and in narrow street parkways.

Key details: Residential turf cap: 25% of landscape area. Nonresidential turf cap: 0% (no turf allowed). Parkway turf ban: Prohibited under 10 ft wide. Rule triggers at: 500 sq ft new / 2,500 sq ft rehab. Water waste fees: $30 / $60 / $90 escalating.

Water wasting from turf, including runoff onto sidewalks or streets, draws escalating fees under Section 6.5.110: a written warning for a first offense, $30 for a second violation within a year, $60 for a third, and $90 for a fourth or later violation, plus mandatory meter installation at the customer's expense. After four violations in a year the City may also order a landscape and irrigation audit, require repairs within 14 days, install flow restrictors, or terminate water service entirely.

Recycled Water Rules

Clovis regulates recycled water delivery under its Recycled Water Use Ordinance: users must sign a City user agreement before any recycled water reaches a property, pay metered rates set by the Public Utilities Department, and never cross-connect a recycled water system with potable plumbing. Violations can trigger immediate termination of service.

Key details: User agreement required before delivery: Sec. 6.8.05. Standard rate (with potable service): $0.53 per 1,000 gallons. Drought/shortage rate: $0.56 per 1,000 gallons. Minimum charge range: $8.55 to $866.32/month by meter size. Cross-connection to potable system: Strictly prohibited.

Under Section 6.8.14, the City may terminate a user's recycled water agreement for violating any provision of Chapter 6.8, the program's rules and regulations, or the user agreement itself, and may cut off service immediately, without notice, whenever needed to protect public health, safety, or welfare. Because the chapter is enforced like any other City ordinance, a violation can also trigger the general Municipal Code penalty in Section 1.2.01: a misdemeanor of up to $1,000 and six months in jail, or an infraction starting at $100.

This is one of the stricter rules in Clovis's municipal code. If you are unsure whether your situation complies, it is worth checking with the city before proceeding.

The Bottom Line

Clovis's water use rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Clovis is broadly strict or permissive.

Keep in mind that Clovis 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.