El Dorado County, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in El Dorado 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
- State Authority
- Cal. Code Regs. Title 23 § 490-495 (MWELO)
- New Landscape Trigger
- 500 sq ft (with permit)
- Rehab Trigger
- 2,500 sq ft (with permit)
- County Design Standards
- Adopted Dec. 15, 2015 (Resolution 234-2015)
- Primary Water Purveyor
- El Dorado Irrigation District (EID)
- Tahoe Basin Purveyor
- South Tahoe Public Utility District
Summary
El Dorado County applies California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) to new and rehabilitated landscape projects requiring permits; day-to-day outdoor watering schedules are set by the local water purveyor (El Dorado Irrigation District for most unincorporated areas).
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. The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) establishes standards for new and retrofitted landscapes and encourages the use of efficient irrigation systems, graywater usage, onsite storm water capture, and other water efficiency measures.
Full Breakdown
El Dorado County has not adopted a local water efficient landscape ordinance more stringent than the state's, so California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, Cal. Code Regs. Title 23, Div. 2, Ch. 7) applies by default through the County Planning and Building Department. MWELO is triggered for new construction landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area of 500 sq ft or more requiring a permit, plan check, or design review, and for rehabilitated landscapes equal to or greater than 2,500 sq ft. Documentation required includes a Landscape Documentation Package, a Water Efficient Landscape Worksheet with Maximum Applied Water Allowance (MAWA) and Estimated Total Water Use (ETWU) calculations, soil management report, landscape and irrigation design plans, and a Certificate of Completion.
The County Community Design Standards (adopted Dec. 0 high) and requiring that grading minimize soil erosion, runoff, and water waste. The El Dorado Irrigation District (EID), which serves most of the western (lower-elevation) unincorporated county, sets specific watering days, hours, and drought-stage rules; South Tahoe Public Utility District serves the South Lake Tahoe area. Pursuant to California Government Code § 65595, all California cities and counties must report annually to the Department of Water Resources on landscape project review.
Violations & Fines
Without MWELO compliance documentation, the County will not issue final inspection sign-off or certificate of occupancy on landscape projects subject to the ordinance. Customers of EID who violate adopted watering day or watering window restrictions are subject to escalating fines under EID Administrative Code; first violations typically receive a written warning, with subsequent violations carrying fines that escalate per violation and the District may install a flow restrictor. Statewide regulations adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board (e.g., the prohibition on irrigating non-functional turf at commercial/industrial/institutional sites with potable water) also apply.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does El Dorado County set day-of-week watering rules itself?
When does MWELO apply to my landscape project?
Are there limits on turf?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in El Dorado County
How El Dorado County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare El Dorado County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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