Yolo County, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Yolo 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
- Code Citation
- Yolo County Code Sec. 6-8.1102 (Level 1)
- Sprinkler Hours Banned
- 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Drip / Micro-Irrigation
- Exempt from hour restriction
- Runoff Standard
- No more than incidental overspray
- Leak Repair Deadline
- 72 hours from notice
- Max Drought Level
- Level 5 (50% reduction target)
Summary
Unincorporated Yolo County is subject to a tiered drought-response ordinance at Title 6, Chapter 8 of the Yolo County Code. Under the permanent Level 1 restrictions, potable water cannot be applied to landscapes in a manner causing more than incidental runoff, and landscape watering with sprinklers is prohibited between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Higher levels (up to Level 5, targeting a 50% reduction) can be triggered by the Board of Supervisors during declared drought emergencies.
Any person or entity that violates a regulation adopted by the board pursuant to this section is guilty of an infraction punishable by a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500) for each day in which the violation occurs. The board may issue emergency regulations regarding water waste, use, diversion, recycling, and conservation. The board must make findings that the regulation addresses water waste prevention, conservation promotion, curtailment of unauthorized diversions, or related reporting requirements, and that the regulation responds to drought conditions during a critically dry year preceded by multiple dry years, or when the Governor has declared a state of emergency based on drought.
Full Breakdown
Yolo County Code Sec. 1102 (Level 1 drought response - Permanent water use restrictions) establishes the baseline rules that apply at all times in CSAs the County operates. except with a hand-held container, a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle, or for very short periods while adjusting sprinklers - the daytime ban does not apply to low-volume systems like drip or micro-irrigation. The same ordinance requires property owners to repair leaks, breaks, or malfunctions in water-using fixtures connected to County water within 72 hours of discovery or notice.
Higher-stage triggers escalate through Levels 2 through 5; Sec. 1106 (Level 5) targets a 50% reduction below normal demand and incorporates all lower-level restrictions. Statewide, the California State Water Resources Control Board's emergency water-conservation regulations (23 CCR Sec. ) impose parallel prohibitions on hosing down hardscapes, washing vehicles without a shut-off nozzle, and irrigating ornamental turf at non-functional sites. , the Wild Wings CSA, individual wells, or local water districts) rather than directly by the County.
Violations & Fines
Violation of Title 6 Chapter 8 is enforced as a public nuisance under the Yolo County Code's general code-enforcement provisions, including administrative citations, civil penalties, and abatement. The County may also order corrective action on leaks within 72 hours of notice. Statewide drought-emergency regulations are enforceable by the State Water Resources Control Board with civil penalties up to $500 per day per violation under Water Code Sec. 1058.5.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn at noon if I'm using a drip system?
What happens if a sprinkler head breaks and sprays onto the street?
Does Yolo County control my water bill rates or watering days?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
How Yolo County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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