Water Restrictions: El Cerrito vs Richmond
How do water restrictions rules compare between El Cerrito, CA and Richmond, CA?
El Cerrito and Richmond have similar restriction levels.
El Cerrito, CA
Contra Costa County
Permanent statewide water waste rules and water district schedules apply in unincorporated Contra Costa. EBMUD and Contra Costa Water District limit landscape irrigation to set days and hours, prohibit runoff and daytime watering, and can impose excessive-use penalties up to $2 per extra unit plus surcharges during droughts.
View full El Cerrito rules →Richmond, CA
Contra Costa County
Richmond receives water from East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD), which enforces permanent water-waste prohibitions and drought-stage restrictions. The State Water Resources Control Board has adopted permanent statewide conservation rules, including no watering during/within 48 hours after rain, no runoff, and no hose-washing of hard surfaces.
View full Richmond rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cerrito | Richmond |
|---|---|---|
| Statewide bans | Runoff, post-rain watering, hosing hard surfaces | - |
| EBMUD drought schedule | 2 days/week during Stage 2; Excessive Use Penalty | - |
| CCWD schedule | 3 days/week odd-even, before 9am/after 6pm | - |
| Non-functional turf | CII irrigation banned statewide | - |
| Enforcement | Warnings, $50 to $500 fines, flow restrictors | - |
| - | - |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
El Cerrito FAQ
Can I wash my car in the driveway?
Yes, if you use a hose with a positive shutoff nozzle and there is no runoff. Using a commercial car wash that recycles water is preferred.
Does the drip irrigation schedule apply to food gardens?
Watering of edible food gardens is generally exempt from day-of-week restrictions if done efficiently (drip), but the no-runoff and no-daytime-watering rules still apply.
Richmond FAQ
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