Roseville, CA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Leak fix deadline
- 72 hours from learning of the leak
- Governing section
- RMC Sec. 14.20.140(B)
- Recycled water pond threshold
- 25-year, 24-hour storm event
- Regional Board notice
- By email within 24 hours of discharge
- Enforcing agency
- Environmental Utilities Director / City Engineer
Summary
Roseville property owners whose irrigation runoff exceeds normal overspray must detect leaks, such as from broken sprinkler heads, and fix them within 72 hours of learning about the leak. City Code Section 14.20.140(B) sets this deadline as part of the exceptions to the stormwater ordinance's otherwise-applicable exemption for incidental landscape runoff.
B. Discharges in excess of an amount deemed to be incidental runoff shall be controlled. Parties responsible for controlling runoff in excess of incidental runoff shall: 1. Detect leaks (for example, from broken sprinkler heads) and correct the leaks within 72 hours of learning of the leak; 2. Properly design and aim sprinkler heads; 3. Not irrigate during precipitation events; and 4. Manage ponds containing recycled water such that no discharge occurs unless the discharge is a result of a 25 year, 24-hour storm event or greater. In the case of such discharge, the Regional Board is to be notified by an email sent no later than 24 hours after the discharge that includes identifying information, including the discharger's name and address.
Full Breakdown
20 generally exempts 'incidental runoff,' meaning minimal, unintended overspray from sprinklers that escapes its intended area, from the ban on non-stormwater discharges into the storm drain system. 140(B) draws the line at that exemption: once runoff exceeds an incidental amount, the responsible party must control it, which means detecting leaks such as broken sprinkler heads and correcting them within 72 hours of learning of the leak, properly designing and aiming sprinkler heads, and not irrigating during precipitation events. The same section requires anyone managing a pond containing recycled water to prevent discharge unless it results from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event or greater, and if such a discharge occurs, to notify the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board by email within 24 hours with identifying information including the discharger's name and address. 300.
Violations & Fines
Runoff that exceeds incidental levels and is not corrected within the 72-hour leak window becomes an illegal discharge the director or city engineer can order eliminated under Section 14.20.300, and a continuing failure to comply is chargeable as an infraction or misdemeanor under Section 14.20.410, with the director able to issue a cease-and-desist order under Section 14.20.430 demanding cleanup within 72 hours of notification.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast do I have to fix an irrigation leak in Roseville?
Is normal sprinkler overspray a violation in Roseville?
What happens if a recycled-water pond discharges in Roseville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Roseville
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