Lake Elsinore, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Section 19.08.130, titled Water conservation requirements, opens by declaring that its rules are intended to avoid water waste, are effective at all times, and are permanent, a standing ordinance rather than a drought-emergency measure the City Council can turn on and off. Subsection A's daytime watering ban covers any lawn, landscape or vegetated area irrigated with potable water between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., with narrow carve-outs for a handheld bucket, a hose fitted with a positive self-closing shut-off nozzle, or brief use to adjust or repair an irrigation system; overhead sprinklers specifically are confined to the 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. window.

The same section pairs the watering-hours limit with three companion bans: no excessive water flow or runoff onto adjoining sidewalks, streets, alleys, gutters or ditches (§ 19.08.130(B)); no washing down hard or paved surfaces such as driveways, patios or tennis courts except for safety or sanitary hazards and then only with a bucket, self-closing hose, water-recycling pressure washer or low-volume water broom (§ 19.08.130(C)); and a duty to fix leaks, breaks or malfunctions (§ 19.08.130(D)). The City Council also directs coordination with local water purveyors on tiered or allocation-based rate structures, irrigation audits and penalties for water waste (§ 19.08.140). The Community Development Director or designee enforces the chapter and may inspect a site before, during or after landscape installation (§ 19.08.110(C)).