Fullerton, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Fullerton's water conservation rules sit in two places: (1) Drought / Conservation Ordinance 3299, administered by the Public Works Water Utility, and (2) Fullerton Municipal Code Chapter 15.50 - Landscaping and Irrigation Requirements (Title 15, Zoning), which implements California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) for new and rehabilitated landscapes. The baseline (Conservation Level 1) prohibits watering of landscape or other vegetated areas between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., except for watering by hand-held device, a hose equipped with an automatic shut-off, or to adjust or repair an irrigation system for short periods. Watering with a device that is not continuously attended is limited to fifteen (15) minutes per day per valve, with exceptions for low-flow drip, water-efficient stream-rotor, and sensor/weather-controlled systems. Watering within 48 hours of a measurable rainfall of 1/4 inch or more is prohibited, and runoff from landscaped areas onto sidewalks, streets, or other paved surfaces because of excessive watering or misdirected sprinklers is also prohibited. Under Conservation Level 2 (currently active per Public Works), outdoor landscape watering is further restricted to two (2) assigned days per week by address - even-numbered addresses on certain days, odd-numbered addresses on the other days - and new landscape installation is limited to drought-tolerant trees, shrubs, and groundcover with no new turf or hydroseed unless a waiver is granted for an establishment period. For new construction and major remodels, FMC 15.50 requires a Certified Landscape Design Plan and a Certified Irrigation Design Plan, a minimum average system irrigation efficiency of 0.71, automatic irrigation controllers (smart/ET-based), and precipitation rates of one inch per hour or less on turf areas. Fullerton's ordinance implements - and in places is stricter than - the State MWELO (23 CCR ss 490-495).