Cleveland, OH Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

45 lets the Director of Public Utilities proclaim a water use emergency for all or part of the City whenever a water supply shortage threatens public health and safety and curtailment becomes necessary. Each proclamation must state the geographic area covered, a duration capped at seven days, and the degree of curtailment ordered. During the emergency the Director may prohibit "unnecessary" water use during all or specified hours of the day, or may require specified premises to curtail necessary use only on specified days. The ordinance defines "unnecessary use or consumption" as any use other than personal health, safety, sanitation and bodily consumption, and states this includes but is not limited to sprinkling or watering lawns, other land irrigation, washing automobiles, houses or other structures, and recreational uses such as maintaining swimming pools.

It carves out exceptions: water used for private construction (mixing and curing concrete, puddling backfill, moistening masonry preparatory to pointing or sealing) and water used to scrub and rinse hard-surfaced drives, garage floors and patios for sanitation are not "unnecessary" use even during an emergency. A proclamation takes effect immediately on issuance, and the City must notify a newspaper of general circulation plus a local radio and television station for broadcast. No person or entity may use water in violation of the proclamation's terms once it is in effect.