Santa Barbara County, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

This provision sits in County Code Chapter 29, the ordinance governing the Laguna County Sanitation District, and applies only inside that district's service area near Orcutt, not countywide. Under Sec. 29-39(a)-(b), a person or public agency may not use potable-quality water for a nonpotable use if suitable recycled water is available under Water Code Section 13550. To enforce that, the district manager reviews the facts and can make a preliminary determination that a specific parcel must comply, together with a compliance schedule. Notice goes by mail to the owner's last known address on the county assessment roll.

The owner then has twenty days from mailing to file a written objection with the district stating the specific reasons for objecting; without a timely objection, the preliminary determination and schedule become final. If an objection is filed, the district must meet with the owner to try to resolve it. 5, Division 3, Title 23 of the California Code of Regulations to decide whether the parcel must use recycled water under Water Code Sections 13550 and 13551. Separately, any district decision by the district manager can be appealed to the district's board of directors within thirty days under Sec. 29-38.