Palm Springs, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Recycled water
- Capture, reclamation and reuse of non-potable water
- Purpose clause
- Maximize recycled water use where practicable
- Surface cleaning exemption
- Recycled water systems permitted
- Car wash exemption
- Recycling-system facilities exempt from wash ban
Summary
Palm Springs' water conservation chapter defines recycled water as the capture, reclamation and reuse of non-potable water for beneficial use, and the city's purpose is to maximize recycled water use where practicable. Recycled water and water recycling systems are specifically exempted from the citywide bans on hose-washing hard surfaces and washing vehicles.
The purposes of this Chapter are to increase the conservation of water and provide regulation for the efficient use of potable water, prevent the unreasonable use of water, and maximize the use of recycled water where practicable. ... "Recycled water" or "recycling system"means the capture, reclamation and reuse of non-potable water for beneficial use. ... use of water brooms, or pressure washers or similar low flow technology, recycled water, or water recycling systems to clean these surfaces, is permitted. ... This subsection shall not apply to any commercial car washing facility that uses a water recycling system to capture or reuse water.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4923139; v14 updated 2026-06-24).
Full Breakdown
030 defines 'recycled water' or 'recycling system' as the capture, reclamation and reuse of non-potable water for beneficial use, and separately defines a 'water recycling system' as a system that reclaims and reuses non-potable water. 050, the chapter's core water-waste prohibition, carves out recycled water in two places: subsection (f) bans using water to wash sidewalks, walkways, patios, driveways or similar areas, but expressly permits using water brooms, pressure washers, recycled water, or water recycling systems for that cleaning; and subsection (g) bans washing vehicles with water except by bucket or a quick-release hose nozzle, but exempts any commercial car washing facility that uses a water recycling system to capture or reuse water.
In short, the code treats recycled water as the preferred alternative wherever the general potable-water restrictions apply, rather than regulating recycled water use itself with separate numeric limits.
Violations & Fines
Using recycled water or a water recycling system for surface cleaning or commercial vehicle washing is expressly exempt from the water-waste violations in Section 11.06.050(f) and (g); using potable water instead, outside the listed exceptions, is a public nuisance under Section 11.06.080, punishable as a misdemeanor for each day of continuing violation and enforceable through administrative citation under Chapter 1.06.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as recycled water under Palm Springs code?
Can a car wash use recycled water instead of following the hand-wash rule?
Can I hose down my driveway with recycled water?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Springs
California rules heatmap·Compare Palm Springs to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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Recycled Water Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Riverside County handle recycled water rules.