Fullerton, CA Landscaping Rules: Rainwater Harvesting (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- FMC § 15.17.050(H)(3)(d)
- Size threshold
- Under 2,500 sq ft of landscape
- Water source required
- 100% graywater or on-site rainwater
- Reduced obligation
- Chapter 15.50, Appendix D only
- Reviewing department
- Community and Economic Development Dept.
- First infraction fine
- Up to $100 (FMC § 1.08.010)
Summary
Fullerton lets small landscape projects skip most of the city's water-efficient landscape paperwork if they run entirely on stored rainwater or graywater captured on-site. Under FMC § 15.17.050(H)(3)(d), a landscape under 2,500 square feet that meets its full water budget this way answers only to the irrigation-system rules in Chapter 15.50, Appendix D.
(d) Landscape projects using treated or untreated graywater or rainwater captured on-site that has less than 2,500 square feet of landscape and meets the landscape water requirement (EAWU) entirely with treated or untreated graywater or through stored rainwater captured on-site is subject only to Chapter 15.50, Appendix D, related to irrigation systems.
Full Breakdown
050(H). 030(B) demands a full landscape documentation package: water-efficient landscape calculations, a soil management report, a Certified Landscape Design Plan, a Certified Irrigation Design Plan, a grading plan, final project certification and a one-year maintenance deposit, all reviewed by the Community and Economic Development Department before building permits issue. 50, Appendix D, related to irrigation systems,' rather than the full documentation package described above. Appendix D is the Landscape Installation Certificate of Completion, which requires the installer to certify the system was built to the approved plan and to attach irrigation scheduling parameters, an irrigation maintenance schedule, an irrigation audit report and, where applicable, a soil analysis report. 030, so long as the site stays under the 2,500-square-foot threshold.
Violations & Fines
Landscape work is inspected by the Community and Economic Development Department before permits and final occupancy issue; installing irrigation without the required Appendix D certification is enforced like any other code violation. Under FMC § 1.08.010, a first infraction carries a fine up to $100, a second within a year up to $200, and each further violation up to $500, or the city can instead pursue the matter as a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 and six months in County Jail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Fullerton require a permit to install a rainwater harvesting system?
What size landscape qualifies for Fullerton's rainwater exception?
What do I still have to submit if my Fullerton project uses only harvested rainwater?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fullerton
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