Water restrictions in Solano County, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Solano County enforces a Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (WELO) consistent with California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (Cal. Code Regs. Title 23, Section 490 et seq.). New residential landscapes over 500 sq ft and rehabilitated landscapes over 2,500 sq ft must submit landscape and irrigation plans to Solano County Planning Services. Statewide prohibitions on runoff irrigation, hose-washing without a shutoff nozzle, and decorative non-recirculating fountains also apply.
Solano County's Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance is administered by Planning Services under the Resource Management Department; it implements California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) codified at California Code of Regulations Title 23, Division 2, Chapter 2.7, Section 490 et seq. Applicants for new construction or major remodel landscape projects must submit a Landscape Documentation Package (soil analysis, hydrozone schedule, water budget, irrigation design) to WELO@solanocounty.gov before installation. Exemptions: new landscapes 0-499 sq ft and rehabilitated landscapes 0-2,499 sq ft, registered historical sites, and ecological restoration projects without permanent irrigation. The Solano County Water Agency (SCWA) operates a Water-Efficient Landscape Rebate Program; eligible converted areas must be at least 50% low-water, drought-tolerant, or California-native plants at maturity. Statewide emergency water-conservation regulations from the State Water Resources Control Board prohibit: irrigating turf during/within 48 hours of measurable rain, runoff onto sidewalks or streets, washing vehicles without a shutoff nozzle, and using potable water in decorative water features that do not recirculate. Individual cities (Vacaville, Fairfield, Vallejo) layer additional drought-stage rules.
Failure to submit and obtain approval of a Landscape Documentation Package on a covered project blocks the building permit final. State Water Board violations of the emergency conservation regulations can carry civil penalties up to $500 per day per violation. City utility violations typically start with a written warning, then escalating fines under each city's water-conservation ordinance.
Solano County, CA
Unincorporated Solano County has no leaf-blower-specific ordinance — no decibel cap, time-of-day restriction, or gas-blower ban beyond the general noise rule...
Solano County, CA
Unincorporated Solano County has no standalone amplified-music ordinance. Amplified sound is enforced through Solano County Code §21-10 (Disturbing the Peace...
Solano County, CA
Solano County Code §4-73 declares any dog, cat, fowl, or other animal that 'by habitual howling, yelping, barking or other noise disturbs or annoys persons i...
Solano County, CA
Unincorporated Solano County has no dedicated construction-hours ordinance. Construction noise is governed indirectly by Solano County Code §21-10 (Disturbin...
Solano County, CA
Unincorporated Solano County enforces nighttime quiet hours through Solano County Code §21-10 (Disturbing the Peace). Any non-agricultural noise that exceeds...
Solano County, CA
In unincorporated Solano County, commercial vehicles associated with a home-based business are limited by Solano County Code §28.72.40 (Home Occupations). Ty...
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