Water Restrictions: Chino vs Fontana
How do water restrictions rules compare between Chino, CA and Fontana, CA?
Fontana has fewer restrictions than Chino.
Chino, CA
San Bernardino County
Chino is served by the city water utility within the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) wholesale service area and the adjudicated Chino Basin Watermaster. State regulations adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board prohibit specific outdoor water-waste practices statewide (runoff onto sidewalks, hosing down hardscape, non-recirculating fountains, irrigating within 48 hours of measurable rain). Chino additionally enforces day-of-week and time-of-day watering restrictions through its water utility under Title 13 (Public Services).
View full Chino rules →Fontana, CA
San Bernardino County
Fontana Water Company bans irrigation between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. and any runoff onto streets. AB 1572 ends non-functional turf irrigation at commercial and HOA sites by 2027.
View full Fontana rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Chino | Fontana |
|---|---|---|
| Local code title | Chino Municipal Code Title 13 (Public Services) | - |
| State framework | Title 23 CCR sections 990-997 (permanent water-waste prohibitions) | - |
| Regional wholesaler | Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA) | - |
| Groundwater management | Chino Basin Watermaster adjudication | - |
| Daytime irrigation | Generally prohibited 9 a.m.-6 p.m. under shortage contingency rules | - |
| No-water window | - | No irrigation between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. |
| Runoff ban | - | Statewide - no water running onto sidewalks or streets |
| Hose nozzle | - | Shutoff nozzle required on all hand-held hoses |
| AB 1572 | - | Non-functional turf irrigation ban for HOA/commercial by 2027 |
| Penalties | - | Warning, 50 dollars, 100 dollars, then flow restrictor |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Chino FAQ
What days can I water my lawn in Chino?
Chino's water utility assigns watering days based on the current drought stage in its water shortage contingency plan. Even in normal conditions, runoff onto sidewalks and hosing down hardscape are banned statewide and locally.
Are there exceptions for new landscaping?
Yes. The city's plan typically allows short-term establishment watering for newly planted drought-tolerant landscape and trees, subject to documentation. Hand-watering with a shut-off nozzle and drip irrigation are generally allowed any time.
Fontana FAQ
When can I water my Fontana yard?
Outside the 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. window, without runoff onto pavement, and on your assigned watering days during declared drought stages.
Does AB 1572 apply to my home lawn?
Not yet. AB 1572 phases in a ban on non-functional turf irrigation at commercial, institutional, and HOA common areas, not individual homes.
What happens if a neighbor reports me for water waste?
Fontana Water Company typically issues a written warning first, then 50 and 100 dollar fines; chronic violators can have flow restrictors installed.
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