Water Restrictions: Daly City vs San Mateo
How do water restrictions rules compare between Daly City, CA and San Mateo, CA?
Daly City and San Mateo have similar restriction levels.
Daly City, CA
San Mateo County
Daly City operates its own municipal water utility and is a BAWSCA member agency purchasing wholesale water from the San Francisco Regional Water System (Hetch Hetchy). The statewide emergency conservation regulations expired June 5, 2024, but AB 1572 permanently bans potable-water irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional sites on a phased schedule. Local prohibitions on hosing down hardscape, runoff, and broken sprinklers remain enforceable through Daly City's Water Conservation Program.
View full Daly City rules →San Mateo, CA
San Mateo County
San Mateo's water is provided by Cal Water (San Mateo District). Water conservation ordinances (SMMC Ch. 23.72) apply to landscaping. Year-round prohibitions include runoff, watering during/after rain, and midday irrigation.
View full San Mateo rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Daly City | San Mateo |
|---|---|---|
| Water source | SFPUC Hetch Hetchy via BAWSCA | - |
| Statewide emergency rules | Expired June 5, 2024 | - |
| Non-functional turf irrigation ban | AB 1572 (CII sites, phased) | - |
| Statutory authority | Cal. Water Code Sec. 375 | - |
| Water Provider | - | Cal Water (San Mateo District) |
| No Watering Hours | - | 10 AM – 5 PM (summer) |
| Rain Rule | - | No watering within 48 hours of rain |
| Runoff | - | Prohibited |
| Code | - | SMMC Ch. 23.72 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Daly City FAQ
Can I water my lawn any day of the week?
Yes, currently. Daly City has no day-of-week schedule in effect outside a declared drought stage, but runoff and daytime watering causing waste are always prohibited under standard practice.
Where does Daly City's water come from?
Daly City is a BAWSCA member agency and purchases wholesale water from the San Francisco Regional Water System (Hetch Hetchy reservoir).
Is washing my car at home allowed?
Yes, when using a shut-off nozzle. Continuous-flow hose use without a shut-off nozzle violates standard urban water-supplier conservation rules.
San Mateo FAQ
What are the lawn watering restrictions in San Mateo?
San Mateo's water is provided by Cal Water (San Mateo District). Water conservation ordinances (SMMC Ch. 23.72) apply to landscaping. Year-round prohibitions include runoff, watering during/after rain, and midday irrigation.
Are there drought watering rules in San Mateo?
Water Provider: Cal Water (San Mateo District). No Watering Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM (summer). Rain Rule: No watering within 48 hours of rain. Runoff: Prohibited.
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