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

San Ramon water customers are served primarily by East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) in the older portions of the city and by Dublin San Ramon Services District (DSRSD) in Dougherty Valley and newer eastern neighborhoods. Both agencies enforce water conservation rules adopted by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) plus their own local measures. Permanent statewide prohibitions apply year-round: no hosing sidewalks, driveways, or other hard surfaces except for health and safety; no watering that causes runoff onto sidewalks or streets; no watering within 48 hours after measurable rainfall; no watering ornamental turf on public medians; no washing vehicles without a shut-off nozzle; no serving water in restaurants unless requested; and no decorative water features without recirculation. During declared drought stages, EBMUD and DSRSD impose day-of-week watering schedules (commonly odd/even address days or 2-3 assigned days per week), limited watering windows (e.g., before 9 AM or after 6 PM), and reduced total minutes per zone. Penalties start at warnings, progress to fines ($25-$500 range for residential), and can include water flow restrictor installation for chronic violators. Non-functional turf at commercial, industrial, and institutional properties is banned statewide under 2022 SWRCB emergency regulations. New development must comply with MWELO (Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance) limiting turf and requiring high-efficiency irrigation.