Monterey Park, CA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Duty
- Inspect and repair hoses/plumbing leaks
- Standard
- As soon as reasonably practicable
- First offense
- Written warning only
- 2nd+ offense fine
- $25 per violation (infraction)
- 3rd+ offense
- May be charged as misdemeanor
Summary
In the City of Monterey Park, every person has a duty under Municipal Code § 14.08.100 to inspect hoses, faucets, sprinkler systems, and indoor plumbing for leaks and to have any leak repaired as soon as reasonably practicable, as part of the city's NPDES-driven water conservation regulations.
§ 14.08.100. Regulations—Generally. ... (c) Lawn/Landscape Watering. To, among other things, comply with the City's NPDES permit requirements: ... (4) It is the duty of all persons to inspect all hoses, faucets and sprinkling systems for leaks, and to cause all leaks to be repaired as soon as is reasonably practicable. (d) Indoor Plumbing and Fixtures. It is the duty of all persons to inspect all accessible indoor plumbing and faucets for leaks, and to cause all leaks to be repaired as soon as is reasonably practicable. ... (i) A written warning must be provided to persons upon the first violation of this section. Second and subsequent violations are infractions with a fine of twenty-five dollars per violation. The third or subsequent violation may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor.
Full Breakdown
Section 14.08.100, Regulations-Generally, sits in Chapter 14.08's water service rules and pairs the leak-repair duty with other conservation mandates adopted to comply with the city's national pollutant discharge elimination system permit. Subsection (c) bars watering lawns or landscaping between ten a.m. and five p.m., more than once a day, or to the point that runoff reaches a street, parking lot, or alley, and then requires everyone to inspect hoses, faucets, and sprinkler systems for leaks and fix them promptly. Subsection (d) imposes the identical inspect-and-repair duty for indoor plumbing and faucets.
The same section separately bars hosing down sidewalks, walkways, driveways, or other paved surfaces except for public health and safety needs, prohibits washing vehicles outside a commercial carwash, reclaimed water, or a hand-held bucket or shutoff-nozzle hose, and bans leaving a hose running unattended. Beyond leaks specifically, § 14.08.090 separately makes it unlawful for a consumer to allow, maintain, or permit leaks or waste of water on the customer's side of the meter, and authorizes the water department to give thirty days' notice to repair before shutting off service, with a reconnection fee required to restore it.
Violations & Fines
Under § 14.08.100(i), a first violation of the leak-repair duty draws only a written warning. A second or subsequent violation is an infraction carrying a twenty-five dollar fine per violation, and a third or later violation may be prosecuted as a misdemeanor. Section 14.08.100 is also listed among Title 4.10's designated infraction sections, confirming that classification for repeat offenses short of a third violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to fix a leaking hose or sprinkler in Monterey Park?
Does the leak-repair duty also cover indoor plumbing?
What happens the first time I'm caught with an unrepaired leak?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Monterey Park
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