Elk Grove, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Design standard
- Must meet local and State recycled-water law
- ETAF cap for recycled water areas
- 1.0 (special landscape area)
- Graywater
- Encouraged, not mandated
- Reviewing authority
- City landscape architect
- State report deadline
- January 31 each year
Summary
Elk Grove requires new recycled water irrigation systems to be built and run to current State and local standards under Municipal Code Section 14.10.100, treats recycled-water landscapes as special landscape areas capped at a 1.0 water-use factor, and separately encourages graywater for on-site irrigation without mandating it.
A. The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall allow for the current and future use of recycled water. B. All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable local and State law. C. Landscapes using recycled water are considered special landscape areas. The ETAF for special landscape areas shall not exceed one (1.0). D. Graywater systems promote the efficient use of water and are encouraged to assist in on-site landscape irrigation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4937385; v2 updated 2026-05-13; through 05-13-2026).
Full Breakdown
7. 040(C). 0, generally more forgiving than the factor applied to a standard potable-water landscape. 110 lets projects under 2,500 square feet that irrigate entirely with graywater or captured rainwater use a simplified prescriptive checklist instead of the full landscape documentation package. 130, tracks how many qualifying projects used recycled water or graywater alongside every other WELO compliance measure.
Violations & Fines
A recycled water system that is not designed and operated to State and local recycled-water law fails Section 14.10.100(B) review, which blocks the certificate of completion the applicant needs to close out landscape and building permits under Section 14.10.040(D). Once installed, a neglected recycled-water or graywater system is enforced the same way as any other landscaping: a City notice and a 30-day cure period before the City fixes it and liens the property under Section 23.54.070(B).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I irrigate my landscaping with recycled water in Elk Grove?
Does using recycled water change my landscape's water budget?
Is graywater irrigation required for new Elk Grove landscaping?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Elk Grove
California rules heatmap·Compare Elk Grove to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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