San Diego, CA Water Use Rules: Leak Reporting Duty (2026)
Key Facts
- Repair deadline
- 72 hours after City notice
- Also covers
- leaks discovered by customer
- Classified as
- prohibited water waste
- Governing section
- SDMC § 67.3803(c)
Summary
San Diego's water waste ordinance requires customers to repair or stop any water leak as soon as it's discovered, or within 72 hours of the City's notification, or face water waste penalties under Municipal Code § 67.3803(c).
(c) Failing to repair or stop water leaks upon discovery or within 72 hours of notification by the City of San Diego.
(d) Washing down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, or other paved areas without using a power washer or a hose with a shutoff nozzle. Washing any paved areas is only allowed to alleviate immediate safety or sanitation hazards. Wash water shall be collected and prevented from leaving the property and entering the municipal separate storm sewer system under
Full Breakdown
San Diego Municipal Code § 67.3803(c) makes it a prohibited water waste practice to fail to repair or stop a water leak upon discovery, or within 72 hours after the City of San Diego formally notifies the customer of the leak. The duty applies to any customer receiving City water service, whether the leak is on an irrigation line, plumbing fixture, or other water-using equipment, and sits alongside a related ban on runoff and uncorrected leaks reaching adjacent property or public rights-of-way under § 67.3803(b). Enforcement follows the Division 38 violations-and-penalties provision at § 67.3807.
Violations & Fines
Failing to repair a leak within the required window is an unlawful water waste violation under Division 38, exposing the customer to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties under Chapter 1, plus possible flow-restricting device installation or service shutoff for willful violators (SDMC § 67.3807).
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast must I fix a water leak in San Diego?
What happens if I ignore a City leak notice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego
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Leak Reporting Duty in Nearby Cities
How other cities in San Diego County handle leak reporting duty.