Water Restrictions: Berkeley vs Oakland
How do water restrictions rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Oakland, CA?
Oakland has fewer restrictions than Berkeley.
Berkeley, CA
Alameda County
Berkeley follows East Bay MUD drought rules: no irrigation 9am-6pm, no runoff, hose must have shutoff nozzle. Drought surcharges and restrictions apply during declared drought stages.
View full Berkeley rules →Oakland, CA
Alameda County
Oakland is served by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), which sets water-use restrictions under permanent rules and drought-stage declarations, supplemented by California Water Code Section 10608 efficiency mandates and AB 1572 non-functional turf provisions.
View full Oakland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Oakland |
|---|---|---|
| No watering | 9am-6pm (year-round) | - |
| Hose nozzle | Shutoff required | - |
| AB 1572 | No potable on non-functional turf | - |
| Drought surcharge | 25-50 percent | - |
| Report waste | EBMUD 1-866-403-2683 | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Berkeley FAQ
Can I still wash my car at home?
Yes, but only with a hose equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle, and water cannot flow onto the street. Commercial car washes that recycle water are unrestricted.
What is non-functional turf under AB 1572?
Ornamental grass in medians, parking strips, and office campuses not used for recreation. Berkeley began enforcement ahead of the state deadline and offers conversion rebates through EBMUD's Lawn Conversion program.
Oakland FAQ
What days can I water my lawn in Oakland?
EBMUD's baseline rule is no more than three days per week, before 9 a.m. or after 6 p.m., with no runoff. Check EBMUD's current drought status for tighter restrictions.
Does AB 1572 apply to my home lawn?
No. AB 1572 applies only to commercial, industrial, institutional, and HOA common-area turf. Single-family residential lawns are exempt from the non-functional turf ban.
Compare other topics
See how Berkeley and Oakland compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool