Inyo County, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Unincorporated Inyo County does not impose its own day-of-week watering schedule; outdoor water-use limits are set by California state law. Under the State Water Resources Control Board's permanent water-waste regulations (Title 23 CCR), it is prohibited statewide to: hose down sidewalks, driveways, or other hardscape; let irrigation water run off onto streets or gutters; wash a vehicle with a hose lacking a shut-off nozzle; run a decorative fountain that does not recirculate water; and irrigate outdoor landscapes within 48 hours after measurable rainfall. The Board adopted broader 'Making Conservation a California Way of Life' efficiency rules (July 2024, effective January 2025) that set water-use objectives for urban suppliers. Separately, Assembly Bill 1572 prohibits using potable water to irrigate non-functional (purely decorative) turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional properties — phased in from January 1, 2027 for public agencies through 2029 for HOA common areas. Residential lawns are exempt from the AB 1572 turf ban. The County itself does adopt a Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) governing new and rehabilitated landscaping, covered separately. Local water suppliers may add their own restrictions.