Cobb County, GA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Leak threshold
- over 1 gallon per minute, unrepaired
- Also penalized
- runoff onto streets or sidewalks
- First violation
- written warning notice, no fine
- Scope
- unincorporated Cobb County only
Summary
Cobb County treats a visible, unrepaired outdoor leak of more than one gallon a minute as water waste, subjecting the property owner to the same penalties as illegal watering.
"Water waste" is defined in this section to mean the unnecessary loss of water through improper application or failure of a plumbing or irrigation system resulting in excessive runoff. Any person in violation of the water waste ordinance shall be subject to an appropriate penalty outlined in section 122-265 for the outdoor water use restrictions. The following activities will be subject to a penalty:
(a)A broken irrigation system (missing heads, broken pipes, etc.).(b)Excessive runoff—Water running down the driveway, street, or sidewalk.(c)A hose running unattended without a shutoff nozzle.(d)A visible and unrepaired leak in excess of one gallon per minute. (Amd. of 2-23-16)
Secs. 122-268—122-300. - Reserved.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53).
Full Breakdown
Section 122-267's water waste ordinance is aimed at forcing property owners to fix broken irrigation and plumbing rather than let it run. It lists four triggers for a penalty: a broken irrigation system with missing heads or broken pipes, excessive runoff onto a driveway, street or sidewalk, an unattended hose without a shutoff nozzle, and a visible, unrepaired leak exceeding one gallon per minute. Any of these is punished the same way as an outdoor watering violation, under the enforcement scheme in section 122-265, which starts with a warning notice before administrative penalties apply.
Violations & Fines
Leaving a leak of more than one gallon per minute unrepaired, or letting irrigation runoff reach a street or sidewalk, violates section 122-267 and triggers the penalty schedule in section 122-265.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to report a leaking sprinkler to Cobb County?
What's the first consequence of a leak violation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cobb County
Compare Cobb County to another location·View the Georgia water use rules overview
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