How Fontana Handles Water Use Rules: A Practical Guide
Fontana maintains 107 local ordinances across all categories, and 2 of those deal specifically with water use rules. Here is a breakdown of what the city actually requires, what is prohibited, and where Fontana falls on the strict-to-permissive spectrum compared to other cities.
Recycled Water Rules
Fontana's landscape water conservation ordinance requires irrigation systems be built to accommodate recycled water use now and in the future. Sec. 28-108 treats any landscape actually using recycled water as a special landscape area with a stricter water-budget factor than potable-water landscapes get.
Key details: Governing law: Fontana Municipal Code Sec. 28-108. Applies to: New/rehab landscapes 500+ sq ft (2,500+ if rehab). ET adjustment factor cap: 1.0 for recycled-water special landscape areas. Design standard: Systems must accommodate future recycled water use. Related section: Graywater systems, Sec. 28-109 (Cal. Plumbing Code).
This article's compliance mechanism runs through plan check, the certificate of completion and post-installation irrigation audits under Sec. 28-106 rather than a standalone fine schedule; a project that fails to document recycled water design compliance can be held up at final landscape inspection and denied a certificate of occupancy under Sec. 28-117 until the irrigation, grading and planting match the approved plans.
Turf Replacement Rebates
Under Fontana's prescriptive compliance option, turf cannot exceed 25 percent of the landscape area on residential projects and is banned outright on non-residential projects. Sec. 28-120(b)(4) also bars turf on steep slopes and in narrow parkways unless it runs on sub-surface irrigation.
Key details: Governing law: Fontana Municipal Code Sec. 28-120(b)(4). Residential turf cap: 25 percent of landscape area, maximum. Non-residential turf: Prohibited entirely. Slope limit: No turf steeper than 1 ft rise per 4 ft run. Narrow parkways: Turf barred under 10 ft width unless sub-surface irrigated.
The turf limit is enforced through plan check and final landscape inspection; Sec. 28-117 bars issuance of a certificate of occupancy until the city landscape inspector verifies irrigation, grading and planting match the approved documentation package, so a design that exceeds the 25 percent residential turf cap or plants turf in a prohibited slope or parkway location will be rejected before occupancy.
The Bottom Line
Fontana'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 Fontana is broadly strict or permissive.
All of the above reflects Fontana's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.