The City of Sonoma is served by Valley of the Moon Water District (VOMWD) and supplemented by city wells, and has adopted a permanent Water Waste Prevention Ordinance (Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 13.10) that prohibits runoff, hose-without-shutoff-nozzle, and other inefficient outdoor water uses year-round. During Stage 2 and Stage 3 drought declarations (most recently called by Sonoma County and Sonoma Water in 2021–2022), outdoor irrigation is limited to specific days and prohibited between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. The California Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) applies to new and rehabilitated landscapes of 500 sq ft or more.
Sonoma's residents draw water from the Russian River system via Sonoma Water (the wholesale agency) and from Valley of the Moon Water District as retailer, plus city wells. Because the Russian River and Lake Sonoma are highly drought-sensitive, the city and county have layered restrictions:
PERMANENT RULES (Sonoma Municipal Code Ch. 13.10 — Water Waste Prevention): These apply at all times, regardless of drought stage: - No watering that causes runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, gutters, or streets. - No washing down hardscape (driveways, sidewalks, patios) except for health and safety reasons. - Hoses used for washing vehicles must have a positive shut-off nozzle. - No watering within 48 hours of measurable rainfall. - Restaurants serve water only on request. - Hotels must offer guests the option to reuse linens.
STAGE 2 DROUGHT (declared periodically): Outdoor irrigation limited to two or three days per week on an odd/even or numbered-day schedule, no watering between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m., and a target reduction (typically 20–30%) in total household water use compared to a baseline year. Fillings of swimming pools, ornamental fountains, and pressure washing may be restricted.
STAGE 3/4 DROUGHT: Tighter day-of-week limits, possible prohibition on new turf installation, mandatory reductions of 30–50%, and surcharges on water use above an allocation.
MWELO (Cal. Code of Regs. Title 23, §490 et seq.): The state Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance applies to new or rehabilitated landscapes of 500 sq ft or more associated with a permit. It limits turf to a percentage of the irrigated landscape area, requires water budgets, smart controllers, and pressure-regulated drip irrigation. Sonoma enforces MWELO through its building and planning departments.
ENFORCEMENT: First violation typically gets a warning; subsequent violations carry administrative fines (often $50–$500 per occurrence) and ultimately water-service flow restrictors or shutoff for chronic non-compliance under §13.10.
Watering that causes runoff, watering during prohibited hours under a drought declaration, washing hardscape, or using a hose without a shutoff nozzle violates Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 13.10 and any active drought-stage rules. First violations are typically warnings; repeat violations carry escalating administrative fines and, for chronic violators, water-flow restrictors or service shutoff. Construction projects that disturb 500 sq ft of landscape without MWELO-compliant plans can lose certificate of occupancy until corrected.
See how other cities in Sonoma County handle water restrictions.
See how Sonoma's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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