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Water Use Rules in Los Angeles, CA (2026)

4 verified water use rules for Los Angeles, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.

Verified from official government sources

Lawn Watering Restrictions

LADWP's Water Conservation Ordinance, LAMC §121.03, limits outdoor irrigation to two assigned days per week in summer and one in winter. Cycles run 8 minutes maximum per station with sprinklers, no irrigation 9am-4pm, and no runoff onto sidewalks or streets.

Los Angeles Lawn Watering Days and Times

Heavy Restrictions

Turf Replacement Rebates

LADWP's Turf Removal Rebate pays residential customers 3 dollars per square foot for replacing live grass with California-friendly landscaping, capped at 1,500 square feet per single-family parcel. Pre-approval is required and projects must use plants from the LADWP-approved list.

Los Angeles Turf Replacement Rebate Program

Few Restrictions

Recycled Water Rules

LAMC §121.04(d) requires new commercial developments larger than 5 acres, and projects sited near an existing recycled-water main, to install purple-pipe dual plumbing for irrigation, cooling, and approved non-potable uses. The LADWP Recycled Water Master Plan identifies expansion corridors.

Los Angeles Recycled Water Purple Pipe Mandate

Some Restrictions

Leak Reporting Duty

LADWP Rule 16 requires customers to repair private-side leaks within 14 days of written notice. Customers can request a leak adjustment credit for hidden leaks, capped at one event every three years. LAMC §64.41 enforces cross-connection and backflow protections during repairs.

Los Angeles Water Leak Reporting and Repair

Some Restrictions

Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?

County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Los Angeles city rules.

Water Use Rules in Los Angeles County