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Los Angeles County, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified August 2026

Key Facts

Citation: § 22.44.1600(A)(7)
Applies to: Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone only
Mandated uses: Golf courses, landscape irrigation, public lands
Enforcer: Dept. of Regional Planning, coastal permits
Condition: Only where feasibly available

Summary

In the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone, Los Angeles County's Local Coastal Program requires recycled water for golf courses, landscape irrigation, and maintenance of public lands wherever the resource can feasibly be provided.

City-specific rules exist: West Covina, Carson, El Monte, Norwalk, Santa Clarita, Glendale, Pasadena, Lancaster, Palmdale, Pomona, Lakewood, Inglewood, Long Beach, Downey, South Gate, Compton, Santa Monica, and Los Angeles have their own recycled water rules rules that differ from Los Angeles County's county-level regulations. If you live in one of those cities, check the city-specific page instead.

The use of recycled water is required for commercial and public uses and facilities, such as golf courses, landscape irrigation, maintenance of public lands, and other approved purposes where this resource can be feasibly provided.

Source: LA County Sanitation DistrictsView official code

Full Breakdown

Los Angeles County Code § 22.44.1600(A)(7), part of the Santa Monica Mountains Local Implementation Program, makes recycled water mandatory for defined commercial and public uses -- golf courses, landscape irrigation, and maintenance of public lands -- wherever the resource can feasibly be supplied. The rule applies only within the unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains Coastal Zone portion of the county, enforced through the Department of Regional Planning's coastal development permit process; it does not reach the incorporated City of Malibu or the rest of unincorporated LA County outside this Local Coastal Program area.

Violations & Fines

Projects that skip required recycled-water service face denial or revocation of their coastal development permit, plus standard Title 22 zoning enforcement orders, fines, and stop-work orders for unpermitted construction in the Coastal Zone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this recycled water rule apply to property in the City of Los Angeles?

No. It only governs unincorporated Santa Monica Mountains land under LA County's Local Coastal Program; the City of Los Angeles and other incorporated cities have their own water rules.

What triggers the recycled water requirement?

New commercial or public projects such as golf courses, public-land maintenance, or landscape irrigation in the unincorporated Coastal Zone must use recycled water if it can feasibly be supplied.

Sources & Official References

[1]LA County Code via Municode

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