Water restrictions in Thousand Oaks, CA — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Thousand Oaks enforces water conservation measures through its municipal code and coordination with the Calleguas Municipal Water District. Permanent water waste prohibitions under California law apply, with additional restrictions during drought declarations.
Water conservation in Thousand Oaks is regulated under both the city's municipal code and California's permanent water conservation framework (AB 1668/SB 606). Permanent restrictions prohibit hosing driveways and sidewalks, irrigation runoff onto pavement, watering within 48 hours of measurable rainfall, and using hoses without shut-off nozzles. The city receives most of its water from the Calleguas Municipal Water District, which sources from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. During drought conditions, the city may impose additional restrictions including designated watering days, time-of-day restrictions, and limits on new landscaping. The city's water-efficient landscape ordinance requires new development to use water-efficient designs consistent with California MWELO.
Water waste violations: first offense written warning, second offense $100, third offense $250, fourth offense $500 or flow restrictor installation. During drought emergencies, penalties may be doubled. The Calleguas Municipal Water District may impose additional surcharges for excessive water use.
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks does not have a citywide ordinance restricting residential lawn ornaments, statuary, religious displays, or seasonal yard decor. Restrictions o...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks does not regulate residential inflatable holiday displays by ordinance. Setup is subject only to general code provisions — electrical safety un...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks's municipal code does not set citywide hours or brightness limits for residential holiday light displays. Displays must comply with TOMC Chapte...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Built-in outdoor kitchens in Thousand Oaks require building, gas, electrical, and plumbing permits from Building Division under TOMC Title 8 (which adopts th...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks does not separately regulate backyard pellet, wood, or charcoal smokers but applies TOMC Chapter 5-21 noise limits, California Fire Code cleara...
Thousand Oaks, CA
Thousand Oaks adopts the California Fire Code by reference in TOMC Title 8, which prohibits open-flame charcoal and propane grills on combustible balconies, ...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Ventura County.
See how other cities in Ventura County handle water restrictions.
See how Thousand Oaks's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.