Water restrictions in Palm Springs, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Palm Springs is served primarily by Desert Water Agency (and some areas by CVWD), both of which set watering day restrictions under Coachella Valley drought rules. California AB 1572 (2023) phases out potable-water irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, institutional, and HOA common areas by 2027, and PSMC Chapter 8.70 implements the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance with strict desert-appropriate limits.
Palm Springs potable water comes from the Coachella Valley aquifer, which is in long-term overdraft. Desert Water Agency (DWA) and Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) enforce tiered drought stages restricting outdoor irrigation to designated days and hours, prohibiting daytime watering (typically 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.), banning runoff onto sidewalks and streets, and requiring leak repair within 72 hours. New construction and major renovations over 500 sq ft of landscape must comply with PSMC Chapter 8.70, the city's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance based on the state MWELO, which caps turf area, requires drip irrigation in shrub zones, mandates hydrozoning, and requires a landscape plan and certificate of completion. California AB 1572 (signed 2023) prohibits the use of potable water to irrigate non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, institutional, and common interest development properties on a phased timeline ending in 2027 for HOAs; this does not apply to single-family front yards. Rebates are available through DWA and CVWD for turf conversion to desert landscaping.
Specific penalty amounts for this ordinance are not published in a publicly accessible fine schedule. Contact Palm Springs code enforcement directly for current fines, enforcement procedures, and hearing options.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Riverside County.
See how other cities in Riverside County handle water restrictions.
See how Palm Springs's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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