Water Use Rules in Downey, CA (2026)
3 verified water use rules for Downey, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Turf Replacement Rebates
New construction and property renovations in Downey must limit or eliminate turf areas under Municipal Code § 7353(c)(1), subject to City review and approval as part of the landscape and irrigation design standards. Section 7350(a)(10) goes further for medians, banning potable-water irrigation of ornamental turf in public and private street medians outright.
Downey Turf Limits for New Landscaping
Some RestrictionsDowney Municipal Code § 7353(c)(1), (b); § 7350(a)(10)
(1) Turf: Limiting or eliminating turf areas on project sites subject to City review and approval. ... Turf: A surface layer of earth containing grass, its roots, and the soil within the roots. ... (10) Street Medians: Irrigation of ornamental turf in public and private street medians using potable water is prohibited.
Recycled Water Rules
Recycled water in Downey gets a lighter touch than potable supply under Municipal Code § 7350(a): irrigation is allowed any day of the week between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., with no per-station time cap. Section 7353(c)(8) goes further, requiring new developments and renovations near recycled-water infrastructure to actually use it unless the City waives the requirement as overly burdensome.
Downey Recycled Water Irrigation Rules
Some RestrictionsDowney Municipal Code § 7350(a)(2), (4), (6); § 7353(c)(8)
(2) Watering Hours – Recycled Water: Landscape irrigation with recycled water shall only be permitted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. ... (4) Watering Duration – Recycled Water: Landscape irrigation with recycled water is not limited to any length of time per irrigation controller station per day as long as all other applicable provisions of the Downey Municipal Code are met. ... ...
Leak Reporting Duty
Downey Municipal Code § 7350(d)(3) gives every water customer a hard deadline: fix a leak as soon as it's discovered, and never let it run past 48 hours. Section 7332 backs that duty with teeth, letting the Superintendent shut off service to any customer who willfully wastes water until repairs satisfy the Water Department.
Downey Water Leak Repair Duty
Some RestrictionsDowney Municipal Code §§ 7332, 7350(d)(3)
§ 7332. WASTE OF WATER. Every consumer shall at all times maintain in good repair all water pipes, faucets, plumbing fixtures, and other water appliances to prevent the waste of water. Where any consumer willfully wastes water in any manner, the water may be shut off until wasteful practices have been discontinued or until repairs have been made to the satisfaction of the Superintendent. ... § ...
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