LA County Waterworks Districts and Metropolitan Water District (MWD) member agencies restrict outdoor irrigation to assigned days and prohibit watering during daytime hours, with deeper cuts triggered when MWD declares regional shortage stages.
LA County Public Works operates the LA County Waterworks Districts serving Acton, Antelope Valley, Malibu, Marina del Rey, and other unincorporated areas. Standing rules limit outdoor irrigation with potable water to assigned days (commonly two to three days per week) and ban watering between roughly 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, or streets is prohibited at all times. When MWD or the State Water Resources Control Board declares a Stage 2 or 3 shortage, allowable days drop further (e.g., one day per week) and enforcement increases. Cities served by their own retailers (LADWP, Long Beach Water, Pasadena) apply parallel rules with similar tiers.
First violations typically draw written warnings; repeat offenses trigger administrative fines from $100 up to $500 per occurrence and possible installation of flow restrictors during declared shortages.
See how Santa Monica's lawn watering restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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