Mountain View, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Mountain View, 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
- Runoff
- Prohibited
- Shutoff nozzle
- Required
- Post-rain rule
- No irrigation 48 hours
- Non-functional turf
- Banned at CII sites
- Drought day limits
- Possible
Summary
Mountain View enforces permanent water waste rules and follows state mandates. Outdoor watering is limited and runoff, hosing down pavement, and leaks are prohibited.
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are influenced by local climate. To increase water efficiency and better use a valuable resource, rainwater and stormwater collection and graywater and recycled water can replace or augment potable water use in landscapes. New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Mountain View Water Conservation Ordinance and California Water Code prohibit excess water use year round: no runoff onto sidewalks or streets from irrigation; no hosing of pavement except for health and safety; no use of a hose without a shutoff nozzle; no outdoor irrigation within 48 hours of measurable rainfall; and no irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, or institutional sites under AB 1572 effective 2027 and earlier for public agencies. Mountain View purchases water from the Santa Clara Valley Water District and San Francisco Public Utilities Commission Hetch Hetchy system. During declared drought the city may limit outdoor watering days and set maximum minutes per station. Violations begin with a warning and escalate to fines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn every day?
Does AB 1572 affect my home lawn?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mountain View
How Mountain View compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Mountain View to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Santa Clara County handle water restrictions.