Tulare County, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Tulare County's Staged Water Conservation Program is codified in Ordinance Code Part 8, Chapter 9 (County Service Area No. 1) and Chapter 7 (County Service Area No. 2). The Board of Supervisors may declare conservation stages tied to drought severity. Typical stage restrictions: prohibiting hosing of driveways, sidewalks, and other hardscape; requiring shut-off nozzles on hoses; banning runoff from irrigation; capping outdoor watering to specific days of the week (commonly odd-numbered addresses on certain days, even on others); restricting watering to morning and evening hours; and seasonal no-irrigation periods. Domestic water in most of unincorporated Tulare County is provided by private wells, mutual water companies, or independent community service districts (Cutler-Orosi, Strathmore, Earlimart, Pixley, Tipton, Three Rivers), each of which may impose its own additional restrictions. Statewide, the State Water Resources Control Board prohibits hosing down hardscape, using non-recirculating decorative fountains, washing vehicles without a shut-off nozzle, and watering ornamental lawns at non-functional turf at commercial sites under emergency regulations (Title 23 CCR sections 996-998). Contact: Tulare County RMA Public Works at (559) 624-7000.