Burbank, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Burbank, 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
- Code Section
- BMC 8-2-304 (Sustainable Water Use Stages)
- Current Stage
- Stage III
- Watering Days (Apr-Oct)
- Tuesdays and Saturdays only
- Time Limit
- 15 minutes per irrigation station
- Prohibited Hours
- 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Summary
Burbank's Sustainable Water Use Ordinance (BMC 8-2-301 et seq.) limits outdoor irrigation by day, hour, and duration, and the city is currently in Stage III. Year-round Stage I rules also ban runoff onto paved surfaces and hosing down hard surfaces.
Burbank is currently in Stage III of the Sustainable Water Use Ordinance. April 1 - October 31, watering is allowed Tuesdays and Saturdays only, before 9 am or after 6 pm, a maximum of 15 minutes per irrigation station. Attended hand watering is allowed any day, before 9 am or after 6 pm. Low volume (including drip) irrigation systems are exempt from the 15-minute time restriction but must comply with the two days per week. Failure to comply may result in a fine, with fines of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second violation, and $500 for every violation thereafter.
Full Breakdown
BMC Title 8, Chapter 2, Article 3 (the 'Sustainable Water Use Ordinance') imposes water restrictions in six escalating stages. Stage I measures apply at all times: landscaped areas may not be watered more than 15 minutes per station per day, no more than 3 days per week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays), and not between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. (or during daylight Nov-Mar). Sprinklers must be adjusted to avoid runoff onto streets, sidewalks, and other paved surfaces, and hosing down driveways/sidewalks is prohibited except for safety/sanitary hazards (BMC 8-2-304(A)). Burbank is presently in Stage III, which during April-October limits irrigation to 15 minutes per station, two days per week (Tuesdays and Saturdays only), and extends the 9 a.m.-6 p.m. no-watering window to attended hand-watering (BMC 8-2-304(C)). Low-volume/drip systems are exempt from the 15-minute cap but must still observe the days-per-week limit.
Violations & Fines
Enforced by administrative citation under BMC 1-1-108.1 after one courtesy notice; Burbank Water and Power publishes fines of $100 for the first violation, $200 for the second, and $500 for each violation thereafter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days can I water my lawn in Burbank?
Can I hose off my driveway?
Are drip systems exempt?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Burbank
How Burbank compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Burbank to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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