El Cerrito, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

The California State Water Resources Control Board has adopted permanent urban water conservation rules (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 23, §§ 995–997) that prohibit: hosing off sidewalks and driveways, watering during or within 48 hours of measurable rainfall, watering that causes runoff to adjacent property or storm drains, using non-recirculating water in decorative fountains, washing vehicles without a shutoff nozzle, and irrigating non-functional turf at commercial/industrial properties. The two primary water providers for unincorporated Contra Costa are East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD, serving central and western parts) and Contra Costa Water District (CCWD, serving central/eastern parts); smaller districts (Diablo Water District, Byron-Bethany) serve specific pockets. EBMUD's Drought Management Program limits landscape irrigation to two days per week during Stage 2 drought, with an Excessive Use Penalty (currently $2 per 748 gallons over the threshold) for households using more than four times the district average. CCWD generally allows irrigation three days per week (odd/even schedule) before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Violations start with warnings, escalate to fines of $50 to $500 per occurrence, and in extreme cases can result in flow restrictors installed on the service line.