Water restrictions in Napa, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Water restrictions in the City of Napa are codified in Chapter 13.09 (Water Conservation Regulations) and Chapter 13.10 (Water Shortage Regulations) of the Municipal Code. Permanent rules prohibit irrigation between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., irrigation during rain or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall, runoff onto pavement, hosing driveways or sidewalks with potable water, and washing vehicles without a shutoff nozzle, and require leak repair within 30 days. Stage-based shortage regulations may limit outdoor irrigation to two days per week (odd addresses Tuesday and Friday, even addresses Monday and Thursday). California Water Code §365 et seq. and State Water Board emergency regulations control statewide drought declarations.
Napa's water-conservation framework is codified at Chapter 13.09 (Water Conservation Regulations) (https://ecode360.com/43393901) and Chapter 13.10 (Water Shortage Regulations) (https://ecode360.com/43393926) of the Napa Municipal Code, administered by the Napa Water Division (https://www.cityofnapa.org/362/Water-Division). Chapter 13.09 sets permanent year-round rules that apply to all water customers regardless of drought stage: do not irrigate between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; do not irrigate during rain or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; do not over-water lawns and gardens to the point of excessive runoff onto streets, sidewalks, or gutters; do not use potable water to wash driveways or sidewalks (broom or rinse-water alternatives required); do not wash a motor vehicle by hose unless the hose is equipped with a positive shutoff nozzle; and repair leaks greater than one gallon per minute within 30 days of discovery. Chapter 13.10 layers stage-based shortage regulations: when the Utilities Director declares a Stage 1 Water Shortage, all permanent rules remain in effect and are modified by Section 13.10.040 measures, which typically restrict outdoor irrigation to two days per week (odd-numbered addresses on Tuesday and Friday, even-numbered addresses on Monday and Thursday), with drip and micro-irrigation systems permitted on additional days. Stage 2 and higher add tighter limits, including potential prohibitions on new turf installation and use of decorative fountains without recirculation. At the state level, California Water Code §365 et seq. and §10632 (Urban Water Shortage Contingency Plans) govern statewide drought management; the State Water Resources Control Board may adopt emergency conservation regulations under Water Code §1058.5. The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) at 23 CCR §490 et seq. requires water-efficient landscape design for new and rehabilitated landscapes meeting size thresholds (typically 500 sq ft residential rehabilitation, 2,500 sq ft new). AB 1572 (2022, Health and Safety Code §115943 et seq.) phases out potable-water irrigation of nonfunctional turf on commercial, industrial, and institutional property, with the residential restriction beginning January 1, 2027.
Violations of Chapter 13.09 or 13.10 are enforced as Municipal Code violations, typically beginning with a written warning, then escalating to administrative citation. Standard Napa fine schedules for water-waste violations escalate from a warning to roughly $100 first citation, $200 second, and $500 per offense thereafter for repeat or willful violation, with potential flow-restrictor installation for chronic violators. Each day of continuing violation may be charged as a separate offense. Failure to comply with State Water Board emergency conservation regulations under Water Code §1058.5 carries separate civil penalties up to $500 per day for residential customers and up to $10,000 per day for water suppliers. AB 1572 violations on nonfunctional turf accrue separate state-level penalties.
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