Newport Beach, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

040 of the Newport Beach Municipal Code sets permanent, year-round conservation rules that apply even when no water shortage has been declared. Subsection A limits automatic sprinkler-station runtime to no more than 10 minutes per watering unless the system uses low-flow drip or bubbler emitters producing 2 gallons per hour or less, or a weather-based controller meeting a 70 percent efficiency standard. m. Pacific time, except by hand-held bucket or a hose fitted with a positive self-closing shutoff nozzle, or briefly to adjust or repair a system.

Subsection F adds a rain-trigger rule: no irrigation during a rainfall event or within 48 hours after at least a quarter inch of rain, as measured by the National Weather Service or the nearest CIMIS station. Subsection C prohibits runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, streets, alleys or ditches beyond incidental overspray, and Subsection E requires leaks in a customer's own plumbing to be fixed within three days of notice from the City. 050. 060). 070). 080), and lawn areas become exempt from the City's separate landscape-maintenance 'unsightly' standard once a Level Three shortage is declared.