Water Restrictions: Berkeley vs Sunol
How do water restrictions rules compare between Berkeley, CA and Sunol, CA?
Berkeley and Sunol have similar restriction levels.
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 →Sunol, CA
Alameda County
East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) and Alameda County Water District (ACWD) enforce permanent water waste rules plus drought-stage restrictions. AB 1572 bans potable water on non-functional turf starting 2027.
View full Sunol rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Berkeley | Sunol |
|---|---|---|
| No watering | 9am-6pm (year-round) | - |
| Hose nozzle | Shutoff required | - |
| AB 1572 | No potable on non-functional turf | Non-functional turf ban 2027 |
| Drought surcharge | 25-50 percent | - |
| Report waste | EBMUD 1-866-403-2683 | - |
| West County utility | - | EBMUD |
| South County utility | - | ACWD |
| MWELO | - | New landscape 500+ sqft |
| Typical watering | - | 2-3 days per week |
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.
Sunol FAQ
Can I water every day?
No, both EBMUD and ACWD restrict outdoor irrigation to 2 or 3 specific days per week; check your utility for current assigned days.
What is non-functional turf?
Turf that is purely ornamental (street medians, grass in parking lots, commercial front lawns not used for recreation); AB 1572 bans irrigating it with potable water by 2027.
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