San Clemente, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

070 sets out permanent water conservation requirements that apply at all times, not just during declared shortages, and treats any violation as waste and an unreasonable use of water. , with exceptions for hand-held watering cans and buckets, drip irrigation, bubblers or soakers, a hand-held hose fitted with a positive self-closing shutoff nozzle, or system operation solely to inspect, adjust or repair the irrigation system. Subsection (F) separately bars irrigating outdoor landscapes during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall of a quarter inch or more, as measured by the National Weather Service or the nearest CIMIS station.

Other year-round prohibitions in the same section bar washing down sidewalks or driveways except with a hand-held bucket, pressure washer or shutoff-equipped hose to address a safety hazard, washing vehicles except with a bucket or shutoff nozzle, and irrigating in a way that causes more than incidental runoff onto a sidewalk, street or gutter. 070; and the City may disconnect a customer's water service for a willful violation of these mandatory restrictions, with the customer responsible for disconnection and reconnection charges. 100 allows a hardship waiver application, accompanied by a nonrefundable fee, if strict application would cause disproportionate hardship.