Mountain View, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- Shoreline Regional Park Community customers
- Governing section
- City Code Sec. 35.100.2, Chapter 35 Art. V
- Penalty for noncompliance
- 50% surcharge on water service rate
- Exemption request
- Filed with Director of Public Works, 10-day decision
- Appeal path
- City manager, filed within 10 business days
Summary
Within the Shoreline Regional Park Community, Mountain View requires identified retail, commercial and industrial customers to convert their irrigation systems to recycled water under City Code Sec. 35.100.2, and Sec. 35.100.3 requires new construction there to design for recycled water hookups. Customers who keep using potable water for irrigation without an approved exemption face a 50 percent surcharge under Sec. 35.100.7.
SEC. 35.100.2. - Converting existing potable water users to recycled water. Within the boundaries of the Shoreline Regional Park Community, retail, commercial and industrial customers to be served by recycled water in the initial conversion have been identified in the "Regional Water Recycling Facilities Planning Study" dated January 2004. These customers will be notified by mail that a conversion to recycled water for irrigation purposes is required, along with the conditions of use, pricing and construction schedule. ... SEC. 35.100.7. - Failure to comply with this article. In addition to existing penalties in state and local law for violation of the provisions of this article, the director of public works may assess the following penalties: a.A water service surcharge of fifty percent (50%) of the general water service rate as set forth in Mountain View City Code Section 35.27 to use potable water for irrigation.b.Continued use of potable water for irrigation, after written warning or warnings by the director, may result in the discontinuation of water service supplied for irrigation by the City of Mountain View following a noticed hearing.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 34 Update 4).
Full Breakdown
Chapter 35, Article V implements Mountain View's recycled water program for the Shoreline Regional Park Community. Sec. 1 finds that recycled water reduces demand on the potable supply and is not subject to drought rationing, and the city council determined recycled water shall be used within the Shoreline Regional Park Community for irrigation whenever available and beneficial to the customer. Sec. 2 directs the city to convert retail, commercial and industrial customers identified in the January 2004 Regional Water Recycling Facilities Planning Study, notifying each by mail of the conversion requirement, conditions of use, pricing and construction schedule.
Sec. 3 requires every land use permit, building permit or other discretionary application filed in the area after adoption to incorporate recycled water into landscape and irrigation design, select plants suited to recycled water, install connecting infrastructure, and use recycled water instead of potable water during construction itself. A customer who believes recycled water will damage landscaping installed before the ordinance, or who faces a special cost or hardship, may apply to the director of public works for an exemption or adjustment under Sec. 4, and the director must issue a written decision within ten business days.
Denials go to the city manager on a written appeal filed with the city clerk within ten business days; the city manager must hold the appeal hearing within sixty calendar days and decide within thirty days under Sec. 6.
Violations & Fines
A customer who continues irrigating with potable water instead of converting faces a water service surcharge of fifty percent of the general water service rate under Mountain View City Code Sec. 35.27, on top of any other state or local penalty, per Sec. 35.100.7. If potable irrigation continues after a written warning from the director of public works, the city may discontinue irrigation water service following a noticed hearing, and restoring service requires paying the reactivation charge set in the city's master fee schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has to switch to recycled water in Mountain View?
Can I keep using potable water for irrigation if recycled water damages my landscaping?
What is the penalty for not converting to recycled water?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Mountain View
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