Water restrictions in Sonoma, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Sonoma Municipal Code Chapter 14.32 implements California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) for new and rehabilitated landscapes, with most provisions triggered at 500 sq ft (new) or 2,500 sq ft (rehabilitated). Single-family private residential landscaping is not affected by AB 1572's non-functional turf irrigation ban.
SMC Chapter 14.32 (Water-Efficient Landscaping) was originally adopted by Ordinance 05-2010 on October 20, 2010 and re-adopted to comply with the 2015 update to the State Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO, 23 Cal. Code Regs. § 490 et seq.) under California AB 1881. The chapter requires landscape documentation packages, soil management reports, MAWA (Maximum Applied Water Allowance) calculations, hydrozoning, and high-efficiency irrigation for: (a) new construction projects with 500+ sq ft of landscape area requiring a permit; (b) rehabilitated landscapes with an aggregate area ≥ 2,500 sq ft requiring a permit, plan check, or design review. Dedicated landscape water meters are required for nonresidential landscapes 1,000-5,000 sq ft and residential landscapes ≥ 5,000 sq ft. SMC § 14.32.040 (Landscape design plan) and § 14.32.050 (Irrigation design plan) are the operative substantive sections; the planning director may accept State MWELO documentation in lieu. AB 1572 (Cal. Water Code § 10608.14) phases out potable irrigation of non-functional turf on commercial/institutional/HOA properties (Jan 1, 2027 - Jan 1, 2029) but expressly does NOT apply to single-family residential properties.
Noncompliance with Chapter 14.32 is enforced through the planning/building permit process — a final certificate of completion will not be issued until the landscape and irrigation plans, soil report, and certificate of completion are submitted. Continuing or unpermitted violations are misdemeanors or infractions under SMC Title 1 general penalty (§ 1.20.010). During drought, additional Sonoma Water and State Water Resources Control Board mandatory restrictions (e.g., prohibitions on watering during/after rain, washing impervious surfaces, runoff) apply with administrative fines up to $500/day under 23 Cal. Code Regs. § 996.
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