Water restrictions in Bakersfield, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Bakersfield water customers are served by multiple providers including California Water Service (Cal Water) Bakersfield District and the City of Bakersfield Water Resources Department. Permanent state-wide conservation rules under Water Code §10608 and regulations from the State Water Resources Control Board prohibit watering during/after rain, runoff onto pavement, and daytime irrigation. Cal Water's current schedule limits outdoor watering to three assigned days per week.
California's Making Conservation a California Way of Life framework (Water Code §10608 and related statutes) made many emergency drought rules permanent. Within Bakersfield, the dominant water utility is California Water Service Company's Bakersfield District, which enforces a three-day-per-week outdoor watering schedule (typical: odd addresses Tue/Thu/Sat; even Wed/Fri/Sun; none on Monday) with no irrigation between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. from approximately March through October. The City of Bakersfield Water Resources Department serves the northeast and northwest service areas with similar conservation rules. Statewide prohibitions include: no watering within 48 hours of measurable rain, no runoff onto sidewalks or streets, no washing driveways, no hose-washing vehicles without a shut-off nozzle, and restaurants may serve water only on request. AB 1572 prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties phased in 2027-2031. Water Code §10608 sets long-term urban per-capita use targets.
Cal Water issues warning letters then assesses surcharges on bills (typically $50 first non-warning violation, escalating to $100-$500+ for repeats). City Water Resources customers face similar escalating penalties. State Water Board can fine water suppliers that fail to enforce, and direct customer fines under the Governor's emergency regulations can reach $500 per day.
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