Water Restrictions: Monterey vs Salinas
How do water restrictions rules compare between Monterey, CA and Salinas, CA?
Salinas has fewer restrictions than Monterey.
Monterey, CA
Monterey County
The Monterey Peninsula (Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Sand City, Del Rey Oaks, and unincorporated coastal areas served by California American Water) is governed by the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District's Water Conservation and Rationing Plan (Rule 160 et seq.). Outdoor irrigation is limited to two days per week (Wednesdays and Saturdays), 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 15 minutes per location. Inland Salinas Valley areas are governed by separate district rules.
View full Monterey rules →Salinas, CA
Monterey County
Salinas water comes from the Salinas Valley groundwater basin, managed by Cal Water. The basin faces overdraft and seawater intrusion challenges. Strict conservation mandates apply. Landscape watering restricted to designated schedules.
View full Salinas rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Monterey | Salinas |
|---|---|---|
| Authority | MPWMD Rule 160; SWRCB Order WR 2009-0060 | - |
| Watering Days | Wednesdays and Saturdays | - |
| Watering Hours | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | - |
| Max Duration | 15 minutes per location | - |
| Statewide Rule | Cal. Water Code 1058.5 (no runoff, no hardscape hosing) | - |
| Source | - | Salinas Valley groundwater |
| Provider | - | Cal Water |
| Challenge | - | Overdraft, seawater intrusion |
| Watering | - | Designated schedules |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Monterey FAQ
When can I water my lawn on the Monterey Peninsula?
Wednesdays and Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., for no more than 15 minutes per location under MPWMD Rule 160. Drip irrigation and hand-watering are exempt.
What about inland Salinas Valley?
Inland areas are served by separate water districts with their own rules. Permanent state water-waste prohibitions (no runoff, no hardscape hosing, shutoff nozzle on hoses) apply everywhere.
Salinas FAQ
When can I water my lawn?
Check Salinas’s water district for designated days. Typically before 9 AM or after 6 PM only.
What counts as water waste?
Runoff onto sidewalks/streets, watering during/after rain, and broken sprinklers are all violations.
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