Water restrictions in Palo Alto, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Palo Alto enforces permanent water waste rules and activates drought-stage restrictions set by Valley Water and the State Water Board. AB 1572 bans potable irrigation of non-functional commercial turf.
Palo Alto Utilities operates a municipal water system sourced from the Hetch Hetchy Regional Water System. Permanent water use rules under Palo Alto Municipal Code Chapter 16.09 prohibit runoff irrigation, hosing down hardscape, watering within 48 hours of measurable rain, and using a hose without a shutoff nozzle. Outdoor irrigation is generally limited to early morning or evening hours. During declared drought stages, more aggressive limits such as day-of-week watering schedules apply. California AB 1572 (effective 2027 and phasing in earlier) bans irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional sites with potable water. The state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) applies to new and rehabilitated landscapes.
Contact your local code enforcement office for specific penalty information.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto Airport (PAO) enforces a voluntary curfew and noise abatement procedures, with FAA preemption limiting local authority over flight operations.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto prohibits amplified music audible beyond the property line during quiet hours and requires a special event permit for outdoor amplification in publ...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto enforces strict decibel limits by zone under PAMC 9.10.040: 60 dBA day / 50 dBA night in residential, scaling up to 70 dBA in manufacturing zones.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto permits construction Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm and Saturday 9am to 6pm, with no work allowed on Sundays or holidays under PAMC 9.10.060.
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto requires encroachment permits for new driveways, regulates curb cut dimensions, and prohibits blocking sidewalks or adjacent driveways under traffi...
Palo Alto, CA
Palo Alto restricts RV, trailer, and boat storage on public streets and requires screening for large recreational vehicles on residential property under zoni...
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