Ridgecrest, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governs
- recycled water irrigation systems
- Applies to
- qualifying new/rehab landscapes
- ET adjustment cap
- 1.0 for special landscape areas
- Citation
- Ridgecrest City Code § 5-73
Summary
Ridgecrest's water-efficient landscape ordinance requires that recycled water irrigation systems in qualifying city landscape projects be designed for current and future recycled-water use, and caps the evapotranspiration adjustment factor at 1.0 for those special landscape areas.
The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall allow for the current and future use of recycled water. All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable local and state laws. Landscapes using recycled water are considered special landscape areas. The evapotranspiration (ET) adjustment factor for new and existing (non-rehabilitated) special landscape areas shall not exceed 1.0.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 6).
Full Breakdown
Under Sec. 5-73 of the water-efficient landscape ordinance (Code Ch. 5, Art. III), any Ridgecrest landscape project that installs recycled water irrigation must design the system to allow both current and future use of recycled water and operate it consistent with all applicable state and local law. The ordinance applies to new construction landscape areas of 500+ square feet and rehabilitated areas of 2,500+ square feet requiring a building, landscape, or design-review permit (Sec. 5-60). Landscapes using recycled water count as "special landscape areas," whose evapotranspiration adjustment factor is capped at 1.0 rather than the 0.55/0.45 caps that apply to potable-water landscapes.
Violations & Fines
Compliance is enforced through the city's landscape documentation package and plan-check process (Sec. 5-62); a project that doesn't meet this design requirement can be denied its landscape permit or certificate of completion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ridgecrest require homes to use recycled water for irrigation?
What landscape projects does this rule apply to?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ridgecrest
California rules heatmap·Compare Ridgecrest to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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