Water Use Rules in Hollywood, FL

If you live in Hollywood 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. Hollywood has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of water use rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Leak Reporting Duty

Hollywood property owners, agents, and tenants must exercise due diligence to prevent water waste, immediately stop every leak on their own premises, and promptly notify the Public Utilities customer service office of any leak they discover elsewhere. Code of Ordinances § 51.039 lets the city shut off water without notice for willful waste or neglected leaks, and bars refunds for water lost through leaks after it passes the meter.

Key details: Duty: Stop leaks on your own premises immediately. Report offsite leaks to: Public Utilities customer service office. Shutoff: Without notice for willful waste or neglect. Refunds: None for water lost through leaks after metering. Rate adjustment trigger: Usage over 200% of 12-month average.

Willful waste or failure to promptly stop a leak lets Hollywood shut off water to the property without notice under § 51.039(A)(2). Restoring service requires removing the cause, satisfying the city it will not recur, and paying the § 51.130 disconnection charge. Turning the curb stop back on yourself after a leak-related shutoff is a separate violation under § 51.130(E), adding fees, charges and an administrative fee set by City Commission resolution.

Recycled Water Rules

Hollywood requires industrial and commercial properties with more than one acre of irrigable land, including golf courses and cemeteries, to connect to the city's reclaimed water system once a main reaches within 50 feet of the property line. Reclaimed water may only irrigate approved outdoor areas: it cannot go inside a home, a pool, hot tub or spa.

Key details: Connection trigger: Industrial/commercial parcel over one acre irrigable area. Availability standard: Main within 50 feet of property line. Indoor/pool use: Banned inside dwellings, pools, hot tubs, spas. Aerosol control: Low-trajectory nozzles within 100 feet of public eating areas. Penalty: Up to $250 fine or 30 days jail.

Violating any reclaimed-water provision in Chapter 52, including unauthorized use or tampering with system valves and hydrants under § 52.74(C), is punishable under § 52.99(A) by a fine of up to $250, up to 30 days in jail, or both, for any offense the chapter does not separately penalize. The Water Systems Manager also inspects the reclaimed water mains for leaks and illegal hookups as routine enforcement.

The Bottom Line

Hollywood'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 Hollywood is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Hollywood'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.