Fountain Valley, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 14.18 of the Fountain Valley Municipal Code, adopted by Ordinance 1572 in 2021, makes its watering rules permanent. Section 14.18.040 says they are effective at all times, so no shortage declaration is needed to trigger them. Any lawn, landscape or vegetated area watered with potable water in the City of Fountain Valley is covered. Timed systems that are not continuously attended are limited to no more than fifteen minutes per day per station. Very low-flow drip systems with no emitter above two gallons per hour, weather-based controllers, and stream rotor sprinklers meeting a seventy percent efficiency standard are exempt from that cap.

The 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ban has three carve-outs: a hand-held bucket or similar container, a hand-held hose with a positive self-closing shut-off nozzle, and very short periods to adjust or repair an irrigation system. Measurable rainfall means at least one-fourth of one inch as recorded by the National Weather Service, the closest CIMIS station or another reliable source. Ornamental turf on public street medians cannot be watered at all, any new planting should be drought tolerant, and runoff beyond incidental amounts onto a sidewalk, driveway, street, gutter or neighboring property is prohibited.

When the City Council declares a water supply shortage under Section 14.18.050, day limits stack on top of the permanent rules: three days per week at Levels 1 and 2, two days at Level 4, one day at Level 5, and no potable irrigation at Level 6, with narrow exceptions such as hand watering and active public parks. Recycled water and commercial nursery growers fall outside the chapter under Section 14.18.030.