Water restrictions in Long Beach, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Long Beach follows the MWELO (Smartscape) ordinance for new landscaping. Projects 500-2,500 sq ft have streamlined permits; over 2,500 sq ft require a landscape professional. High-water turf is prohibited in parkways and medians.
Under LBMC Chapter 21.42 (Landscape Standards), the City enforces the Smartscape ordinance (local MWELO implementation). Grass or other high-water-use plants are prohibited in parkways and street medians. Mixing high and low-water-use plants is not allowed in plant groupings. New landscaping projects between 500 and 2,500 square feet follow a streamlined permitting process. Projects over 2,500 square feet require a landscape design professional and complete landscape documentation package. Relandscaping projects over 2,500 square feet also require permits. Irrigation systems must be water-efficient with automated timers and sensors, complying with Long Beach Water Department regulations. Decorative water features must use recirculating water systems, and recycled or gray water is preferred. The City encourages drought-tolerant plants that need less water. These requirements apply to residential, non-residential, and public construction projects.
Non-compliance with Smartscape requirements may delay project approvals and permits. The Long Beach Water Department enforces irrigation restrictions and water waste prohibitions. Violations of watering restrictions may result in fines.
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential lawn ornaments, statuary, or year-round decorations. Front-yard structures must comply w...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating residential holiday inflatables. Size, lighting, and motor noise are not separately regulated, though general LBM...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance regulating the display window or brightness of residential holiday lights. Light trespass is enforced only under LBMC Sectio...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach requires Building and Safety permits for built-in outdoor kitchens that include gas piping, electrical wiring, or plumbing under LBMC Chapter 18.0...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach has no city ordinance specifically regulating residential wood-fired smokers or pizza ovens. Smoke nuisance is enforced under LBMC Section 8.80 (n...
Long Beach, CA
Long Beach prohibits open-flame cooking devices and LP-gas containers over 1 pound on combustible balconies of multi-family buildings under California Fire C...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Los Angeles County.
See how other cities in Los Angeles County handle water restrictions.
See how Long Beach's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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