San Diego County, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in San Diego County, CA, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- County ordinance
- Water Conservation in Landscaping, Code Title 8/Div.6/Ch.7 (86.701+)
- Applies to
- New landscape 500+ sq ft; rehab 2,500+ sq ft
- State waste ban
- No driveway hosing, runoff, or irrigating in rain
- State fine
- Up to $500/day during drought
- Watering schedule
- Set by your retail water district, not the county
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County enforces its Water Conservation in Landscaping Ordinance (County Code Title 8, Div. 6, Ch. 7) on new and rehabilitated landscaping, while statewide permanent rules under the State Water Board prohibit specific water waste. Day-of-week watering limits are set by your local water district, not a single county rule.
by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Usually, local agencies that adopt WELOs create a more stringent ordinance than MWELO. The purpose of water efficient landscape ordinances is to not only increase water efficiency but to improve environmental conditions in the built environment.
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Outdoor water use in unincorporated San Diego County is shaped by three layers. 701 and following) requires an outdoor water use authorization for projects receiving a building or discretionary permit; new landscaped areas of 500 square feet or more, and rehabilitated landscapes of 2,500 square feet or more, must meet a water budget (Maximum Applied Water Allowance) and efficiency standards. Second, statewide permanent prohibitions on wasteful water use, administered by the State Water Resources Control Board, ban practices such as hosing down driveways and sidewalks, letting irrigation run off onto pavement, and irrigating ornamental turf during and shortly after measurable rain; these apply regardless of drought, with infraction fines up to $500 per day during declared drought.
Third, the Making Conservation a California Way of Life framework (SB 606 / AB 1668, with SWRCB rules effective 2025) sets long-term efficiency budgets for urban water suppliers. Specific day-of-week or time-of-day watering schedules are set by each retail water district (for example based on Water Authority supply conditions), not by a single county ordinance. As of 2026 San Diego's supply is comparatively secure, so check your retail water provider for the current mandatory schedule.
Violations & Fines
Statewide water-waste prohibitions are infractions with fines up to $500 per day during drought conditions. Landscape projects that exceed their approved water budget or skip the required outdoor water use authorization can be denied permit final or face county code enforcement. Local districts may add their own penalties and surcharges.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does San Diego County set my watering days?
When does the county landscape water ordinance apply to me?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
How San Diego County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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