Water restrictions in Santa Clara County, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Valley Water sets countywide water conservation rules and drought stages. Outdoor watering is typically limited to three days per week before 9 AM or after 6 PM, with state law banning non-functional turf.
Water supply for Santa Clara County is managed by Valley Water (Santa Clara Valley Water District), which wholesales water to retailers such as San Jose Water Company, California Water Service, Great Oaks Water, and municipal utilities. During drought declarations, Valley Water and retailers impose outdoor watering limits, typically three days per week (assigned by address), prohibit watering between 9 AM and 6 PM to reduce evaporation, and ban runoff onto paved surfaces. Statewide, the State Water Resources Control Board prohibits specific wasteful practices: hosing down driveways and sidewalks, washing cars without a shutoff nozzle, irrigating within 48 hours of measurable rain, and using potable water in decorative fountains without recirculation. Assembly Bill 1572 (effective 2027-2031 in phases) bans irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with potable water. Landscape ordinances require MWELO-compliant design (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance) for new and renovated landscapes over 500 square feet.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
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See how Santa Clara County's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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