Visalia, CA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Visalia, 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
- Authority
- Visalia Municipal Code Ch. 13.20 - Water Conservation
- Current Stage
- Stage 2 Water Alert (permanent)
- Sprinkler Days (Even)
- Wednesday, Sunday
- Sprinkler Days (Odd)
- Tuesday, Saturday
- Prohibited Days
- Monday, Thursday, Friday
- Allowed Hours
- Before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m.
- Winter Ban
- Dec 1 - end of Feb, no sprinkler use
- Drip Irrigation
- Any day, before 8 a.m. / after 6 p.m.
- Hand Watering
- Any day, any time (shut-off nozzle required)
- Hotline
- (559) 713-4531
Summary
Visalia operates under a permanent Stage 2 Water Alert: sprinkler irrigation is allowed only twice a week (Wednesday/Sunday for even-numbered addresses, Tuesday/Saturday for odd) between March 1 and November 30, only before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m., and is banned entirely Mondays/Thursdays/Fridays. All sprinkler watering is prohibited city-wide from December 1 through the end of February each year.
Sprinkler Irrigation (March 1 - November 30): Even addresses can water Wednesday and Sundays. Odd Addresses can water Tuesdays and Saturdays. Watering is not permitted Mondays, Thursdays or Fridays. Water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on your watering day. Watering days are based on whether your address ends in an odd (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) or even (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) number. Winter Period (December 1 - February 28): No watering for all addresses, Monday through Sunday. Drip Irrigation Systems may be used any day of the week, water before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Hand Irrigation of non-turf ornamental plants using a watering can or an attended hose fitted with a positive shut-off nozzle may be performed any day of the week at any time. All watering is to be done before 8 a.m. or after 6 p.m. No watering of impervious surfaces like sidewalks, streets, driveways, parking lots. No water runoff flowing away from subject property.
Full Breakdown
The City of Visalia enforces a citywide watering schedule administered by the Water Conservation Division (220 N. , Visalia, CA 93292; hotline 559-713-4531). From March 1 to November 30, sprinkler irrigation is permitted only on two assigned days based on the last digit of the street address: even addresses (0, 2, 4, 6, 8) water Wednesdays and Sundays; odd addresses (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) water Tuesdays and Saturdays. to limit evaporation losses. From December 1 through the last day of February, the City prohibits sprinkler watering for all addresses, seven days a week.
m. Hand-watering of non-turf ornamental plants with a watering can or a hose fitted with a positive shut-off nozzle is allowed any day at any time. The Water Conservation Permit page also imposes year-round rules: no watering of impervious surfaces (sidewalks, streets, driveways, parking lots), and no runoff flowing off the parcel. Newly installed plants (other than annuals or turf) qualify for a one-per-address-per-year New Plant Establishment Permit allowing up to 30 minutes of additional watering daily for 21 days from planting. 20 (Water Conservation), in addition to California's Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (23 CCR sections 490-495) which governs new landscape design.
Violations & Fines
Violations of the watering schedule are enforced by the Visalia Water Conservation Division. The Watering Schedule, Rules, Enforcement and Appeals page describes a progressive penalty system with a first-violation warning and escalating fines for repeat offenses; appeals are filed through the Water Conservation Division. Running water off property, watering impervious surfaces, and watering during prohibited days/hours are each separate violations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days can I run my sprinklers in Visalia?
Are drip systems and hand watering also restricted?
What if I just installed new plants and they need extra water?
Can I hose down my driveway or sidewalk?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Visalia
How Visalia compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·California rules heatmap·Compare Visalia to another location·View the California landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.