Ontario, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

The City of Ontario Municipal Utilities Company adopts a tiered Water Shortage Contingency Plan keyed to drought stages declared locally or by the state. In normal conditions, overspray onto sidewalks is prohibited, runoff is banned, and washing paved surfaces with potable water requires a broom-first approach. In drought stages the city assigns watering days (commonly two or three days per week) and limits irrigation to pre-dawn and after-sunset windows to reduce evaporation. California Water Code 350 and the state's Making Conservation a California Way of Life framework set baseline standards. Assembly Bill 1572 (Water Code 10608.14) bans the use of potable water on non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, institutional, and HOA common areas on a rolling schedule starting January 1, 2027. Single-family front lawns are exempt from AB 1572 but remain subject to local restrictions. Leaks must be repaired within a reasonable time after notice. Enforcement begins with a written notice and escalates to administrative citations.