Water restrictions in San Clemente, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
The City of San Clemente is the water utility for most of the city; the Talega area is served by Santa Margarita Water District. Permanent water-waste restrictions apply under the Water Conservation Ordinance, Municipal Code Chapter 13.12, even outside drought. Irrigation runoff onto pavement, gutters or storm drains is prohibited.
San Clemente's Water Conservation Ordinance (SCMC Chapter 13.12) establishes permanent prohibitions on water waste that stay in effect regardless of drought stage, and unabated waste may be treated as a nuisance (SCMC 13.12.090). Irrigation must be managed so water does not run off onto pavement, sidewalks, driveways or into the storm drain system, since such runoff is an illegal discharge under the Municipal Code and the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Overwatering, broken sprinklers, and hosing down driveways and sidewalks are prohibited water waste. The City publishes only a suggested, voluntary watering schedule, not a fixed mandatory watering-day calendar. Chapter 13.04 authorizes the City to restrict water for irrigation and construction, and additional stage-based restrictions apply during declared shortages.
Water waste, including irrigation runoff into the public right-of-way or storm drains, is a nuisance abatable under Chapter 13.12, enforceable by notice, injunctive relief and Code Compliance. During declared shortages, stage-based restrictions and penalties may apply.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
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Under SCMC 9.12.060, San Clemente municipal parks are closed from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., and municipal trails are closed from sunset to sunrise. Certain pa...
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San Clemente controls light trespass through SCMC 17.24.130, which requires exterior lighting to be shielded so direct glare and reflections are contained wi...
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San Clemente requires exterior lighting to be shielded or recessed and directed downward under SCMC 17.24.130. Lighting must be energy-efficient, may not bli...
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San Clemente's sign matrix in SCMC 17.84.030 allows one on-site garage sale sign per site, up to 4 square feet, with no permit required. Off-site signs are p...
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San Clemente's sign regulations in SCMC Chapter 17.84 are expressly content-neutral. Any non-commercial message, including a political or campaign message, m...
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In San Clemente a permanent tiny home on a foundation is treated as an accessory dwelling unit under SCMC 17.28.270, while a tiny home on wheels, trailer, or...
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