Riverside, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Riverside draws most of its potable water from local groundwater in the Bunker Hill and Riverside North basins, making the city less dependent on imported supplies than neighboring Metropolitan Water District communities — but it still enforces strong conservation rules under state law (SB 606 and AB 1668, the long-term efficiency framework, and Water Code section 10608). Under permanent Stage 1 (Water Supply Watch), RPU prohibits watering lawns between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., requires fixing leaks within 72 hours, bans washing hard surfaces with potable water, and prohibits runoff onto sidewalks or streets. Restaurants may serve water only upon request, and hotels must offer a linen-reuse option. In Stage 2 (Water Supply Alert), outdoor watering is typically limited to two or three assigned days per week based on address (odd/even or posted schedule). Stage 3 (Water Supply Warning) restricts watering to one day per week and may prohibit filling of ornamental fountains and new pool construction. Violations are enforced through warning letters, then administrative fines escalating from $100 to $500 per violation. RPU offers turf-replacement rebates (typically $2 per square foot for converting grass to low-water landscaping) and free water-efficiency audits. Hand-watering with a shut-off nozzle and drip irrigation are always permitted. The drought-tolerant ordinance also limits turf in new front-yard landscaping and requires smart irrigation controllers for new construction per the state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO).