San Diego County, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- new discretionary land use permits only
- Covered uses
- irrigation, toilet flushing, industrial processes
- District exemption
- district with own recycling plan
- Review timeline
- 20 days, Director of Public Works
- Penalty
- up to $1,000 per day
Summary
Unincorporated San Diego County requires new discretionary development to use recycled water for irrigation, toilet flushing, and industrial uses instead of potable water whenever a suitable recycled supply is available under County Code section 67.520.
No person or public agency shall use water from any source of quality suitable for potable domestic use for non-potable uses, including the irrigation of greenbelt areas, highway landscaped areas, flushing of toilets and urinals in non-residential structures and industrial uses if suitable recycled water is available as provided in Water Code Section 13550 through 13554. This prohibition shall only apply to discretionary land use permits as defined in Section 67.502(c) approved by the County after the effective date of this ordinance. (Repealed and added by Ord. No. 8222 (N.S.), effective 4-29-93; amended by Ord. No. 9273 (N.S.), effective 12-15-00; amended by Ord. 10927 (N.S.), effective 1- 10-25)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-141: Administrative: Current through Ord. No. 11007 (N.S.), effective 7-10-26 | Regulatory: Current through Ord. No. 11008 (N.S.), effective 7-24-26).
Full Breakdown
The County's Water Recycling Ordinance (San Diego County Code sections 67.501 through 67.524) bars using potable-quality water for non-potable uses -- greenbelt and highway landscape irrigation, toilet and urinal flushing in non-residential buildings, and industrial processes -- on any discretionary land use permit approved after the ordinance's effective date, if suitable recycled water is available under Water Code sections 13550-13554. Projects served by a special purpose district with its own adopted recycling ordinance or service plan are exempt. The Director of Public Works reviews applications within 20 days and can condition permit approval on installing a recycled water distribution system, subject to inspection before service begins and a ban on cross-connection to the potable supply.
Violations & Fines
Violating the ordinance is a misdemeanor and a declared public nuisance, punishable by up to $1,000 per day of violation, plus injunctive relief and abatement action by the Director or Administrator.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply to my existing house in unincorporated San Diego County?
Can a project avoid the recycled water requirement?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in San Diego County
California rules heatmap·Compare San Diego County to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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