Water Use Rules in Pasadena, CA (2026)
3 verified water use rules for Pasadena, California, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Turf Replacement Rebates
New multifamily landscaping in Pasadena can't be mostly lawn. Municipal Code Section 17.44.070.C.3, the 'City of Gardens' standard for RM-district projects, caps turf at 20 percent of the total landscaped area and bans it entirely from narrow strips, slopes, and other hard-to-irrigate spots.
Pasadena 20% Turf Cap for New Landscaping
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 17.44.070(C)(3)
C.Standards for the City of Gardens. For projects utilizing multi-family residential development standards in compliance with Section 17.22.060 (RM District General Development Standards)....3.Turf standards. a.Turf shall be limited to a maximum of 20 percent of the total landscaped area.b.Turf shall be excluded from areas difficult to irrigate (e.g., narrow pathways, parkways less than five f...
Recycled Water Rules
Pasadena runs a separate purple-pipe system for recycled and other non-potable water, and Chapter 13.11 makes using it mandatory for landscape and agricultural irrigation on qualifying properties. New construction near the non-potable system gets evaluated automatically, and using non-potable water for anything but its approved purpose is a punishable offense.
Pasadena Recycled & Non-Potable Water Rules
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 13.11.020
"Non-potable water" is water not suitable for human consumption and includes recycled water, untreated tunnel water, raw Arroyo Seco stream water or any other source, conveyed through the City's non-potable distribution system that may be used for a beneficial purpose in compliance with the applicable laws and standards for non-potable water uses. "Recycled water" is water which, as a result of...
Leak Reporting Duty
Pasadena treats an unfixed leak as illegal water waste. Under Municipal Code Section 13.10.032.G, once you knew or should have known about a break, leak, or malfunction in your plumbing or distribution system, you have to fix it, and in no case more than 7 days after the Water and Power Department gives you notice.
Pasadena Duty to Fix Water Leaks
Some RestrictionsPasadena, CA, Municipal Code § 13.10.032(G)
G.Obligation to Fix Leaks, Breaks or Malfunctions: Loss or escape of water through breaks, leaks or other malfunctions in the water user's plumbing or distribution system for any period of time after such escape of water should have reasonably been discovered and corrected and in no event more than 7 days of receiving notice from the Department is prohibited.
Looking for Los Angeles County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Pasadena city rules.
Water Use Rules in Los Angeles County →