Water Restrictions: Delano vs Ridgecrest
How do water restrictions rules compare between Delano, CA and Ridgecrest, CA?
Ridgecrest has fewer restrictions than Delano.
Delano, CA
Kern County
Delano is within the Kern County Subbasin under California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The City and the Kern Groundwater Authority adopted a Groundwater Sustainability Plan that targets safe yield by 2040, leading to ongoing pumping restrictions.
View full Delano rules →Ridgecrest, CA
Kern County
Unincorporated Kern County requires new and rehabilitated landscapes to comply with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) under Title 19, Chapter 19.86 of the Kern County Zoning Ordinance.
View full Ridgecrest rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Delano | Ridgecrest |
|---|---|---|
| SGMA Subbasin | Kern County | - |
| Theft Code | DMC Ch. 13.06 | - |
| Turf Max | 50% of landscaped area | - |
| Permit Threshold | Landscaped area ≥2,500 sq ft | - |
| Code Section | - | Kern County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 19.86 |
| State Standard Referenced | - | 23 CCR Div. 2, Ch. 2.7 (MWELO) |
| Plan Preparer | - | Licensed landscape architect or C-27 contractor |
| Min. Plant Sizes (§ 19.86.020) | - | Trees 15 gal, shrubs 5 gal, groundcover 1 gal |
| Single-Family Standard | - | § 19.86.025 — MWELO + Title 17 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Delano FAQ
Are lawns restricted?
Yes — new commercial/multifamily projects are limited to 50% turf and must use water-efficient irrigation; AB 1572 also phases out non-functional turf irrigation with potable water statewide.
Ridgecrest FAQ
Does Kern County set specific outdoor watering days for unincorporated residents?
No. The county code defers to MWELO (state law) and to the local water purveyor. Public water agencies, community services districts, and public utility districts may adopt more restrictive watering rules under § 19.86.070(E), subject to Board of Supervisors approval. Watering days/hours therefore depend on which water district serves the property.
Do I need MWELO compliance for a small residential landscape?
All new single-family dwellings that install landscaping must comply with MWELO and Title 17 under § 19.86.025(B). Within the Indian Wells Valley Land Use Management Plan area, additional restrictions apply, including no turf in the front yard and a low-volume irrigation system requirement (§ 19.86.025.A).
What landscape uses are exempt from MWELO?
Under § 19.86.070(B), exemptions include: historical sites on official registers, ecological restoration projects without permanent irrigation, mined land reclamation projects without permanent irrigation, agricultural uses or community gardens, and botanical gardens or arboretums open to the public.
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