Richland, WA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

RMC § 18.16.020 places a standing duty on every Richland water customer to eliminate waste: repair defective or leaking pipes and fixtures, avoid running water onto impervious surfaces in the public right-of-way, and use no more water for irrigation, culinary or other purposes than is reasonably necessary. Beyond that baseline rule, RMC § 18.16.030 lets the city council declare a mild, moderate or severe water-supply emergency by resolution when conservation is needed, directing the Public Works Director to implement the curtailment program at RMC § 18.16.035.

In the mild stage, Public Works publishes the emergency in local media, opens a hotline, and asks Richland irrigators to follow a watering schedule: even-numbered addresses water only on even-numbered calendar days, and odd-numbered addresses only on odd-numbered days. If conditions worsen to the moderate stage, that request becomes mandatory: landscape watering restrictions can include set schedules or a full ban, ornamental fountains and pool filling are prohibited, street and vehicle washing is barred except at a water-recycling car wash, and restaurants must stop serving water except on request.

In the severe stage, watering of any lawn, park, or vegetated area is prohibited outright, hydrant permits are rescinded, and city pools close. Separately, RMC § 18.16.080 permanently restricts potable-water irrigation on single-family lots inside the area mapped in Exhibit A, limiting service there to indoor and limited outdoor use and barring any automatic sprinkler or irrigation system on city potable water. The property owner or occupant is accountable for anyone using water on the premises, even if that person is never identified or prosecuted.