Water Use Rules in Virginia (2026)
16 rules on the books across Virginia, 13 cities and counties. Select a rule to read the full details.
Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions
Turf Replacement Rebates
Rebate programs paying residents to replace turf with drought-tolerant landscaping, including per-square-foot incentives and approved plant lists.
Recycled Water Rules
Where purple-pipe recycled water is required for irrigation, dual-plumbing requirements for new construction, and cross-connection-control rules.
Loudoun County
Some RestrictionsIn unincorporated Loudoun County, a Vehicle Wholesale Auction site must wash any vehicles on-site with recycled water…
Read full rule →Newport News
Some RestrictionsDrive-through car washes in Newport News that opened after July 1, 2020 must run a water recycling system, and any that…
Read full rule →Stafford County
Some RestrictionsStafford County runs its own reclaimed water distribution system under Article VI of the county code, requiring a…
Read full rule →Albemarle County
Light RestrictionsAlbemarle County's only codified "recycled water" requirement sits inside its data center zoning standards, not a…
Read full rule →Richmond
Few RestrictionsRichmond's water conservation ordinance, Chapter 28 Division 8, carves out recycled water entirely: Code Sec…
Read full rule →Leak Reporting Duty
Property owner's duty to report and repair water leaks within a set window once notified, plus how utilities issue leak-adjustment credits and impose penalties.
Chesapeake
Some RestrictionsChesapeake's water conservation ordinance puts the repair burden on property owners: if the director of public…
Read full rule →Frederick County
Some RestrictionsOnce a drought warning is declared in Frederick County outside Winchester, Stephens City and Middletown, Frederick…
Read full rule →Hanover County
Some RestrictionsHanover County bills every gallon that passes through a county meter, leak or not, but the owner, agent or tenant who…
Read full rule →Henrico County
Some RestrictionsHenrico County bills water bimonthly, but if an underground leak hits your pipes or metered service, the code rewards…
Read full rule →Newport News
Some RestrictionsNewport News bars letting water lines or plumbing fixtures leak excessively on any residential, commercial, or…
Read full rule →Portsmouth
Some RestrictionsPortsmouth will credit part of a metered water bill caused by a hidden pipe leak, but only if the customer promptly…
Read full rule →Spotsylvania County
Some RestrictionsSpotsylvania County will only adjust a water or sewer bill for a leak if the customer reports and repairs it and then…
Read full rule →Stafford County
Some RestrictionsStafford County makes every water customer responsible for the house service line running from the meter to the…
Read full rule →Virginia Beach
Some RestrictionsVirginia Beach property owners must repair leaking pipes, hydrants, meters, or fixtures immediately after notice from…
Read full rule →Chesterfield County
Light RestrictionsChesterfield County utility customers who repair an unseen water-line leak within 30 days of discovering it get a 50…
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