Redlands, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Redlands, CA, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Trigger
- City council declares a conservation stage
- Stage II irrigation window
- Designated days only, not noon-8 P.M.
- Stage IV irrigation window
- Designated days, 8 P.M. to midnight only
- 3rd-violation surcharge
- 25%/50%/75% of bill by stage
- Governing chapter
- Redlands City Code ch. 13.06
- Adopting ordinance
- Ord. 2151 § 1, 1991
Summary
When Redlands declares a water conservation stage, sprinkler irrigation is restricted to city-designated irrigation days and barred between noon and 8 P.M., with tougher hour and day limits at each higher stage and a rising surcharge for repeat violators.
B. Stage II, Mandatory Compliance; Water Alert: ...the following restrictions shall apply to the use of water supplied by the city in addition to the recommendations of stage I: 1. Irrigation of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, or other plants utilizing individual sprinklers or sprinkler systems is allowed only on an irrigation day designated by the city and is prohibited between the hours of twelve o'clock (12:00) noon and eight o'clock (8:00) P.M. However, irrigation is permitted at any time if: a. A handheld hose is used, or b. A handheld, faucet filled bucket containing five (5) gallons or less is used, or c. A drip irrigation system is used. Commercial nurseries, commercial farmers, and grove settings requiring twenty four (24) hour irrigation cycles, are exempt from stage II irrigation restrictions, but shall curtail all nonessential water use.
Full Breakdown
040. , though a handheld hose, a handheld five-gallon bucket, or drip irrigation may be used at any time. rules extend to washing vehicles and boats, refilling uncovered pools and spas, and irrigating golf greens and tees; golf course fairway irrigation is flatly prohibited unless treated or reused water is used. , and bans watering golf tee areas except with reused water. and midnight, prohibits refilling pools and spas at any time, and halts new water service connections. 080. 090, with a right to appeal an adverse decision to the city council within ten days.
Violations & Fines
Section 13.06.100 sets a three-strike penalty scale: a first violation draws a written notice of noncompliance, a second draws a written warning of future penalties, and a third triggers a citation plus a surcharge on the customer's next water bill, calculated as a percentage of that bill's commodity charge: 25% during Stage II, 50% during Stage III, and 75% during Stage IV. A customer cited a third time who still refuses to comply, or who fails to pay outstanding bills including surcharges, can have a flow-restricting device installed at the meter under California Water Code section 375, or have service shut off under California Water Code section 35423 if a restrictor is impractical. Any customer who receives a second or later violation notice can request a hearing before the city manager within 15 days under section 13.06.110, which automatically stays the surcharge until decided.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn with a sprinkler any day I want in Redlands?
What happens the third time I violate Redlands' watering restrictions?
Can Redlands shut off my water for repeated violations?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Redlands
How Redlands compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Redlands to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle water restrictions.