Salem, OR Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

240 of the Salem Revised Code makes it unlawful to allow waste of water provided through the public water system by knowingly or negligently causing, authorizing, or permitting water to escape from its intended beneficial use into a river, creek, natural watercourse, depression, lake, reservoir, storm sewer, street, highway, road, or ditch. The section defines beneficial use as the reasonable, efficient use of water and waste as use in excess of the reasonable volume necessary to meet that beneficial use, so ordinary landscape irrigation is not itself prohibited unless it becomes excessive runoff leaving the intended area.

250 gives the Director authority to curtail water use whenever the Director determines a water supply shortage exists or is imminent, or any other emergency threatens the City's ability to deliver essential water to customers; the Director may adopt, amend, or rescind rules and procedures establishing a curtailment plan for actual or imminent shortages. 250, and the Director determines a second violation occurred after that citation during the same curtailment period, the Director may install a flow restrictor on the street side of the meter or terminate water service outright. This two-step structure means a single watering violation draws a citation, but repeat noncompliance during an active shortage can cut off supply entirely.