Stockton, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Stockton, 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
- Even-address homes
- Water Wednesday and Sunday only
- Odd-address homes
- Water Tuesday and Saturday only
- No-address parcels
- Follow Wednesday/Sunday schedule
- Citywide no-water days
- Monday, Thursday, Friday
- Daily no-water window
- 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Second violation notice
- $100/day surcharge on water bill
Summary
Stockton assigns every property a two-day-a-week watering schedule by address parity and bans irrigation during daytime hours. Municipal Code § 13.28.035 sets the days and the 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. no-water window, applying "notwithstanding any other provision of this code."
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, exterior irrigation shall be limited as follows: A. For landscape irrigation, the following schedule shall be enforced to promote water conservation: 1. For even numbered addresses, exterior irrigation is permitted only on Wednesday and Sunday. 2. For odd numbered addresses, exterior irrigation is permitted only on Tuesday and Saturday. 3. For parcels that do not have a street address, exterior irrigation is permitted only on Wednesday and Sunday. 4. No exterior irrigation is permitted on Monday, Thursday, or Friday. 5. Exterior irrigation shall be prohibited between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Full Breakdown
A gives even-numbered addresses Wednesday and Sunday only, odd-numbered addresses Tuesday and Saturday only, and parcels without a street address the Wednesday/Sunday schedule; no property, regardless of address, may irrigate on Monday, Thursday, or Friday. , leaving only early-morning and evening hours on the assigned watering days. 035 among the sections it exempts, so the address-based schedule is not tied to the same seasonal carve-out. 020, which covers all persons using water in the City whether or not they hold a City water service contract.
Violations & Fines
A violation draws a written notice describing the infraction (§ 13.28.050.A); a second notice for a continuing or repeat violation adds a $100-per-day surcharge to the regular water bill (§ 13.28.050.D). The Director of Municipal Utilities may issue a cease-and-desist order and, after a hearing on 10 days' notice, discontinue water service (§§ 13.28.060-13.28.070). Each violation is a separate infraction (§ 13.28.090), appealable to the City Manager within 10 days of the Director's order (§ 13.28.080).
Frequently Asked Questions
What days can I water my lawn in Stockton?
What hours can I run sprinklers?
Does the watering schedule change in winter?
What happens if I water on the wrong day?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Stockton
How Stockton compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Stockton to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Joaquin County handle water restrictions.