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Placer 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

Governing section
County Code § 15.75.080
Applies to
landscapes ≥500 sq ft new, ≥2,500 sq ft rehab
ET Adjustment Factor cap
1.0 for recycled-water landscapes
Graywater standard
Calif. Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5, Ch. 16
Tahoe Basin
exempt; TRPA governs instead
Enforcement
Code Compliance, Article 17.62 (§ 15.75.150)

Summary

Placer County's water-efficient landscape ordinance requires any recycled-water irrigation system to be designed for current and future recycled-water use and treats recycled-water landscapes as Special Landscape Areas capped at an ET Adjustment Factor of 1.0. Graywater irrigation is encouraged but must follow the California Plumbing Code. The whole chapter exempts the Tahoe Basin.

City-specific rules exist: Roseville has its own recycled water rules rules that differ from Placer County's county-level regulations. If you live in Roseville, check the city-specific page instead.

1. The installation of recycled systems shall allow for the current and future use of recycled water. 2. All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable local and state laws. 3. Landscapes using recycled water are considered Special Landscape Areas. The ET Adjustment Factor for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) Special Landscape Areas shall not exceed 1.0. 4. Graywater systems promote the efficient use of water and are encouraged to assist in on-site landscape irrigation. All graywater systems shall conform to the California Plumbing Code (Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16) and any applicable local ordinance standards.

View official code

Full Breakdown

010(1)). 080 governs recycled water and graywater. Subsection 1 requires that recycled-water systems be installed so they allow both current and future use of recycled water, and subsection 2 requires those systems to be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable local and state laws. 45 factors used for ordinary residential and non-residential hydrozones. 010(1)(f). 010(2)(e) exempts all real property inside the Placer County Tahoe Basin Area Plan boundary from this entire chapter, so recycled-water and graywater standards for Tahoe Basin parcels come from the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency, not this county code article.

Violations & Fines

Compliance is checked at plan review and at final inspection: § 15.75.150 requires the Planning Services Division to inspect landscape projects against the approved plans, and a project is not deemed compliant until that final inspection is complete, which can hold up occupancy sign-off. Enforcement of the water efficient landscaping requirements, including recycled-water and graywater system compliance, falls under Placer County Code Chapter 17, Article 17.62, Code Compliance and Enforcement, per § 15.75.150.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does unincorporated Placer County require recycled water for new landscaping?
No. There is no mandate to install recycled water. But § 15.75.080 requires that where a covered project does use recycled water, the irrigation system must be designed to allow current and future recycled-water use, and the landscape is then classified as a Special Landscape Area with a stricter ET Adjustment Factor cap of 1.0.
Can I use graywater to irrigate my landscape in the unincorporated county?
Yes. Section 15.75.080(4) encourages graywater systems for on-site irrigation, provided they conform to the California Plumbing Code, Title 24, Part 5, Chapter 16, and any applicable local ordinance. Lots under 5,000 square feet that meet their entire water budget with graywater get simplified submittal requirements under § 15.75.010(1)(f).
Does this recycled water rule apply near Lake Tahoe?
No. Section 15.75.010(2)(e) exempts all real property within the boundaries of the Placer County Tahoe Basin Area Plan from the entire water efficient landscaping chapter, including § 15.75.080. Tahoe Basin properties instead fall under Tahoe Regional Planning Agency standards, which are not part of this county code article.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Placer County

Parking Rules: RV & Boat ParkingFew RestrictionsTurf Replacement RebatesSome RestrictionsParking Rules: Commercial & Oversized VehiclesSignificant RestrictionsParking Rules: EV ChargingSome RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Exotic PetsSignificant RestrictionsAnimal Ordinances: Veterinary Clinic ZoningSome RestrictionsLandscaping Rules: Tree Removal & Heritage TreesSome Restrictions

All Placer County rules

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Recycled Water Rules in Cities Across Placer County

Roseville, CA