Water Restrictions: El Cerrito vs San Ramon
How do water restrictions rules compare between El Cerrito, CA and San Ramon, CA?
El Cerrito and San Ramon 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 →San Ramon, CA
Contra Costa County
San Ramon water service is provided by EBMUD and Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD). Permanent statewide water waste rules under SWRCB prohibit runoff, watering within 48 hours of rain, and hosing hard surfaces. Local drought stages trigger day-of-week watering limits, typically 2-3 days per week during drought.
View full San Ramon rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | El Cerrito | San Ramon |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
San Ramon FAQ
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