Sacramento, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Sacramento, 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
- Days Per
- 2 days per week summer
- Day Per
- 1 day per week winter
- Watering
- No watering 10 AM to 7 PM
- Curfew Hours
- No watering 48 hours after rain
- Shutoff Nozzle
- Shutoff nozzle required
Summary
Sacramento enforces watering limits under SMC Chapter 13.04: 2 days per week in summer, 1 day per week in winter, never between 10 AM and 7 PM.
New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) . The MWELO is also referenced by Title 24, Part 11, Chapters 4 and 5 CalGreen Building Code. All local agencies must adopt, implement, and enforce the MWELO or a local Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) that is at least as effective as the MWELO. Usually, local agencies that adopt WELOs create a more stringent ordinance than MWELO. The purpose of water efficient landscape ordinances is to not only increase water efficiency but to improve environmental conditions in the built environment. Landscaping should be valued beyond the aesthetic because landscapes replace habitat lost to development and
Official source re-checked September 8, 2026: the cited page had not changed since it was quoted.
Full Breakdown
Sacramento follows a permanent water conservation ordinance under SMC 13.04 aligning with CA Water Code section 10608. Outdoor watering is limited to 2 days per week March through October and 1 day per week November through February, based on address parity. Watering is prohibited between 10 AM and 7 PM, and during and 48 hours after rain. Hoses must have shutoff nozzles. Drought Stage escalations can add stricter limits. First offense is a warning; subsequent violations reach 100 dollars, then 500 dollars.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are my watering days based on address?
Can I fill a pool during drought?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Sacramento
How Sacramento compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Sacramento to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Sacramento County handle water restrictions.