Victorville, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Victorville, 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
- Summer window
- 10:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m., June 1-Sept 30
- Winter window
- 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Oct 1-May 31
- Large-system summer window
- 10:00 p.m.-9:00 a.m.
- First-citation fine
- $100 administrative citation (Stage 1)
- Enforced by
- Victorville Water District enforcement officers
- Hand watering
- Allowed any time with shut-off nozzle or drip
Summary
Victorville Water District limits sprinkler irrigation to fixed clock windows year-round under Conservation Stage 1. From June 1 through September 30, watering is allowed only between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m., or 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. for facilities with large irrigation systems. From October 1 through May 31, watering is allowed only between 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Handheld hoses with shut-off nozzles and low-volume drip systems are exempt from the clock restriction.
(2)The irrigation/watering of lawns, gardens, landscaped areas, trees, shrubs, ground cover or other plants utilizing sprinkler systems except in accordance with the following provisions is prohibited:a.Summer outdoor sprinkler restrictions: From June 1 through September 30, irrigation/watering is permitted only between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.b.Winter outdoor sprinkler restrictions: From October 1 through May 31, irrigation/watering is permitted only between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.c.Summer outdoor sprinkler restrictions (large systems): From June 1 through September 30, irrigation/watering for facilities with large systems is only permitted between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m.d.Winter outdoor sprinkler restrictions (large systems): From October 1 through May 31, irrigation/watering for facilities with large systems is only permitted between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 57).
Full Breakdown
Conservation Stage 1 under section 10.05.060 is in effect at all times unless the district board declares a higher water supply shortage contingency plan (WSSCP) stage under section 10.05.070. A "large system" is defined in section 10.05.030(l) as an irrigation system with both multiple controllers and more than ten watering zones, and those systems get an extended summer window running from 10:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. rather than the standard 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. Watering at any time is allowed only with a handheld hose fitted with a positive shut-off nozzle, or a low-volume drip or micro-spray system that is not wired to run on the same station as a sprinkler, per section 10.05.060(b)(3).
The chapter also bars watering that causes excess runoff onto sidewalks, streets or gutters, and bars irrigating within 48 hours after measurable rainfall. Enforcement officers, who include district staff and city code enforcement officers designated by the general manager, investigate violations and may issue a notice of violation before an administrative citation under section 10.05.150. A water user facing an emergency or undue hardship may apply to the general manager for a hardship exception under section 10.05.120, and any denial can be appealed to a hearing officer within ten calendar days under section 10.05.200.
If the district board later declares WSSCP stage 2, 3 or 4 because of a drought emergency, additional and more restrictive measures from sections 10.05.090, 10.05.100 and 10.05.110 layer on top of these year-round hours.
Violations & Fines
A first violation draws a notice of violation (NOV); any subsequent violation of the Stage 1 watering hours brings a $100 administrative citation under section 10.05.180(a)(2), rising to $200 in shortage stage 2, $300 in stage 3 and $500 in stage 4. Each day a violation continues counts as a separate offense. The district can also disconnect water service after 15 days' written notice for repeated shortage-stage violations, or prosecute the conduct as a misdemeanor carrying up to 30 days in county jail or a $1,000 fine under section 10.05.190.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I hand-water my plants any time in Victorville?
What happens if I water outside the allowed hours?
Do the watering hours change during a declared drought?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Victorville
How Victorville compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Victorville to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Bernardino County handle water restrictions.