Fairfield, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Fairfield, 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
- No-watering window
- Daily noon to 6:00 p.m.
- Non-functional turf
- Prohibited at CII sites (AB 1572)
- Stage 2 trigger
- Lake Berryessa at 50% full
- Outdoor moratorium trigger
- Lake Berryessa at 37% full
- Fine schedule
- Warning, $25, $50, $100
Summary
Fairfield permanently prohibits landscape irrigation between noon and 6:00 p.m., aligns with statewide bans on watering non-functional turf at commercial sites (AB 1572), and tightens restrictions when Lake Berryessa drops to 50% or 37% full.
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Full Breakdown
Fairfield's Water Division enforces year-round and drought-stage water-use rules under authority of the Municipal Code and the California Water Code. to reduce evaporative loss, and customers must repair leaks, breaks, and malfunctions in a timely manner. Statewide rules adopted under California Water Code Section 365 and following sections, plus AB 1572 (2023), permanently ban irrigation of 'non-functional turf' (purely decorative grass not used for recreation) at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties using potable water. Fairfield's drought stages are tied to Lake Berryessa storage: enhanced restrictions trigger when the reservoir falls to 50% of capacity, and an outdoor-irrigation moratorium takes effect at 37%.
Enforcement is administrative: the first water-waste offense receives a warning, the second a $25 fine, the third a $50 fine, and the fourth a $100 fine. Examples of water waste include runoff onto sidewalks and gutters, broken sprinkler heads, hose use without a shut-off nozzle, and washing paved surfaces with potable water.
Violations & Fines
First offense: written warning. Second: $25. Third: $50. Fourth and beyond: $100 per violation. Continued non-compliance can lead to flow restrictors or service termination under standard utility rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn at 5:00 p.m.?
Are residential lawns banned?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Fairfield
How Fairfield compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Fairfield to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Solano County handle water restrictions.