San Leandro, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in San Leandro, 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
- Water utility
- EBMUD (East Bay MUD)
- Watering hours
- Before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. only
- Post-rain irrigation ban
- 48 hours
- Excessive-use threshold
- 1,646 gallons/day residential
- Excessive-use penalty
- $2 per 748 gallons over
- Non-functional turf ban (CII)
- AB 1572, phased 2027-2029
Summary
San Leandro is served by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD). EBMUD's permanent Section 29 Water Use Restrictions ban runoff, mid-day irrigation, and watering within 48 hours of rain in every drought stage, including Stage 0.
About 40% of the water Californians use at home is used outdoors. Large water savings can be gained by efficient landscape design, installation, management, and maintenance. This is accomplished by choosing climate adapted plants, improving soil conditions, using, and maintaining high efficiency irrigation equipment and managing the irrigation schedule to fit the plants water needs as they are influenced by local climate. To increase water efficiency and better use a valuable resource, rainwater and stormwater collection and graywater and recycled water can replace or augment potable water use in landscapes. New development and retrofitted landscape water efficiency standards are governed by the Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) .
Full Breakdown
Water service in San Leandro is regulated by EBMUD under Section 29 of its Regulations Governing Water Service (Schedule 35405-24, effective 07/01/24). Year-round prohibitions include: irrigating in a manner that causes runoff onto sidewalks, gutters, or streets; using potable water to wash hardscape such as sidewalks and driveways; irrigating within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; operating decorative water features that do not recirculate; and serving water in restaurants except on request. Outdoor watering is limited to before 9 a.m. and after 6 p.m. Under California AB 1572 (2023), irrigation of non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties with potable water will be prohibited starting January 1, 2027 for public agencies, January 1, 2028 for private CII sites, and January 1, 2029 for HOA common areas. EBMUD has not adopted a city-specific San Leandro ordinance; the City directs residents to EBMUD's conservation rules and rebate programs at sanleandro.org/817.
Violations & Fines
EBMUD issues warnings and may impose an Excessive Use Penalty of $2 per 748 gallons (one CCF) above the daily threshold (currently 1,646 gallons/day) for residential accounts that exceed the limit. Repeat water-waste violations can lead to flow restriction or service shut-off under Section 29. California Water Code authorizes civil penalties up to $500 per day for violations of urgency drought regulations adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn at noon in San Leandro?
Will I be fined for occasional sprinkler runoff?
Does the city have its own drought ordinance?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Leandro
How San Leandro compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare San Leandro to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle water restrictions.