Sutter County, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Sutter County, CA, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- County mechanism
- MWELO adopted by Zoning Code 1500-06-050(C) & Table 1500-07-3(k)
- New landscape threshold
- 500 sq ft or more
- Rehab landscape threshold
- Over 2,500 sq ft
- Hardscape cap
- <=25% of planter/landscaped area
- Drought watering limits
- State Water Board / water purveyor (state, not county)
- State law basis
- Govt Code 65591 et seq.; DWR MWELO
Summary
Sutter County applies California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) by reference. New landscapes of 500 sq ft or more, and rehabilitated landscapes over 2,500 sq ft, must meet MWELO water-budget rules. Day-to-day drought watering limits come from the State Water Board, not the County.
490.1. Applicability General Provisions. (a) After December 1, 2015, and consistent with Executive Order No. B-29-15, this ordinance shall apply to all of the following landscape projects: (1) new construction projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 500 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check or design review; (2) rehabilitated landscape projects with an aggregate landscape area equal to or greater than 2,500 square feet requiring a building or landscape permit, plan check, or design review; (3) existing landscapes limited to Sections 493, 493.1 and 493.2; and (4) cemeteries. Recognizing the special landscape management needs of cemeteries, new and rehabilitated cemeteries are limited to Sections 492.4, 492.11, and 492.12; and existing cemeteries are limited to Sections 493, 493.1, and 493.2.
Full Breakdown
For the unincorporated area, water-efficient landscaping is required through the Zoning Code rather than a stand-alone county water ordinance. ); where the MWELO and the Zoning Code conflict, the more restrictive standard applies. Per the County's Development Services WELO program, MWELO thresholds apply to new or rehabilitated/remodeled projects with new landscape of 500 square feet or more, or remodeled/rehabilitated landscape greater than 2,500 square feet, measuring turf, planting and water-feature areas. MWELO limits turf, requires a landscape water budget and efficient irrigation, and encourages graywater and recycled water.
The Zoning Code also caps non-living hardscape (gravel, rock, artificial turf, decorative concrete) at no more than 25 percent of any planter or landscaped area in R-2/R-3/R-4 and commercial districts. Distinct from these design rules, statewide emergency drought watering restrictions (for example, bans on runoff, hosing pavement, or fixed watering-day limits) are set by the State Water Resources Control Board and any local water purveyor, not by Sutter County land-use code.
Violations & Fines
A project subject to MWELO that lacks a compliant landscape and irrigation plan, water-budget calculation, or certificate of completion can be denied a permit or final certificate of occupancy by Development Services. Statewide drought-rule violations (waste/runoff, prohibited watering) are enforced by the State Water Board or the local water provider, with their own fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Sutter County's water-efficient landscape requirement apply?
Does Sutter County tell me which days I can water my lawn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sutter County
How Sutter County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Sutter County to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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