Marin County, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Marin 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
- Commercial Turf Ban
- Marin Water Ord. 459 (no new ornamental lawn)
- Residential Turf Cap
- 20% of landscape area, max 1,200 sq ft
- Effective Date (Ord. 466)
- January 1, 2025
- Plan Review Trigger (new)
- Landscape area >= 500 sq ft
- Plan Review Trigger (rehab)
- Landscape area >= 1,000 sq ft
Summary
In unincorporated Marin County served by Marin Municipal Water District (Marin Water), Ordinance 459 prohibits using district water to irrigate new ornamental lawn in commercial/municipal landscapes, and Ordinance 466 caps new residential turf at 20% of the newly landscaped area or 1,200 sq ft, whichever is less.
Marin Water adopted Ordinance No. 466, which restricts grass installation at newly constructed single-family homes and duplexes to no more than 20% of the newly landscaped area, with a maximum allowable grass area of 1,200 square feet. The prohibition shall apply to the residential landscapes of all newly developed single-family and duplex residences within the District for which a building permit is submitted on or after January 1, 2025.
Full Breakdown
Day-to-day outdoor watering schedules in unincorporated Marin County are not set by the County Code itself; they are set by the resident's water purveyor - most commonly Marin Municipal Water District (Marin Water) for central/southern Marin or North Marin Water District for the north county. Marin Water Ordinance No. 459 prohibits the use of district water to irrigate any new ornamental lawn in commercial and municipal landscapes for new-construction landscape projects of 500+ sq ft or rehabilitated landscapes of 1,000+ sq ft. Marin Water Ordinance No. 466 (effective January 1, 2025) limits grass installation at newly constructed single-family homes and duplexes to no more than 20% of the newly landscaped area, with a maximum of 1,200 sq ft total. Statewide, California Assembly Bill 1572 (Water Code § 10608.14) phases in a ban on potable water for non-functional turf - 2027 for government, 2028 for commercial/industrial, 2029 for HOA common areas.
Violations & Fines
Marin Water may deny new water service connections, refuse to sign off on building/landscape permits, and issue notices of violation. Continued waste of water can lead to flow-restrictor installation and termination of service under the District Code. Building permit final inspections will not be approved for projects that exceed the Ordinance 466 turf caps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the County of Marin set day-of-week or time-of-day outdoor watering rules?
If I build a new house in unincorporated Marin, can I install a 2,000 sq ft lawn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marin County
How Marin County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Marin County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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