Hemet, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

m. Three narrow exceptions exist: hand-watering with a hose that has a positive shut-off device, watering during the establishment period for newly installed landscape, and brief watering to adjust or repair an irrigation system. 5 inches or more of rain in a 24-hour period. The same section also prohibits hosing down driveways and hard surfaces except for health or sanitary reasons (and then only with a shut-off-equipped hose, bucket, or a recovery-and-recycle pressure washer), requires leaking irrigation systems to be corrected under § 82-134, bans non-recirculating decorative fountains, and requires vehicle washing to use a bucket or shut-off hose rather than a running hose.

Under § 82-134, minor exterior leaks reported in writing by the city must be fixed within seven business days, and substantial leaks identified by the water division must be fixed within 48 hours of written notice or the city may shut off water service. Property owners can request relief: § 82-138 allows the city manager or water/wastewater superintendent to grant a variance for circumstances such as newly planted landscape installed before the restrictions took effect, a medical condition certified by a physician, or abatement of a health or safety hazard, provided the customer first demonstrates maximum practical water reduction (low-flow fixtures, rain-shutoff irrigation controllers, and repair of all leaks).

Beyond these permanent rules, § 82-144 layers on tighter, resolution-triggered restrictions during declared shortages, including odd/even-day watering by street address at shortage level 2 and a twice-weekly cap at level 3.