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

Kings County government does not run a countywide urban irrigation-schedule ordinance for the unincorporated area; most homes rely on private wells or small community/mutual water systems, and incorporated cities (Hanford, Lemoore, Corcoran, Avenal) set their own rules. The controlling day-to-day rules come from the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB). The Board's statewide water-waste prohibitions, made a permanent 'California Way of Life,' bar using potable water to wash sidewalks, driveways, and other hard surfaces; allowing irrigation runoff onto streets or neighboring property; and irrigating ornamental turf during, or within 48 hours after, measurable rainfall of at least one-quarter inch. During declared drought emergencies the Board can activate additional mandatory measures and per-day fines. Groundwater quantity is governed under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) through local Groundwater Sustainability Agencies in the Kings, Tulare Lake, Tule, and Westside subbasins, which can limit pumping but do not set household watering days. Residents should confirm specific watering-day or drought rules with their own water purveyor.