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San Francisco, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)

Some Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing code
Park Code § 3.19
Target completion
2013, funding-dependent
Applies to
Park irrigation, golf courses
Lead agency
Recreation and Park Dept. with SFPUC

Summary

San Francisco's Park Code orders the Recreation and Park Department to convert park irrigation to recycled water in designated Recycled Water Use Areas, with a 2013 completion target.

The Recreation and Park Department shall work with the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) to maximize water use efficiency and non-potable water use on all property under the jurisdiction of the Recreation and Park Commission. The Department shall develop a schedule and identify funding sources to convert all Park facility Irrigation Systems to water efficient systems and non-potable water use... Subject to the availability of funds, such conversion is to be completed by 2013.

Source: SFPUC Non-Potable Water ProgramView official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-96: Codes: last updated to include changes made by legislation through Ordinance 133-26, File No. 260686, approved July 23, 2026, effective August 23, 2026).

Full Breakdown

Park Code Section 3.19 directs the Recreation and Park Department to work with the SFPUC to maximize non-potable water use on all Recreation and Park Commission property, convert Park facility irrigation systems in designated Recycled Water Use Areas (set under Public Works Code Section 1209) to Recycled Water, meter irrigation water at parks and golf courses, and require every Park golf course to use Recycled Water where available, with conversion targeted for completion by 2013 subject to funding.

Violations & Fines

Section 3.19 imposes duties on the Recreation and Park Department itself, not the public, so it carries no citation schedule; funding availability, not a penalty, governs how fast conversion proceeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does San Francisco require parks to use recycled water?
Yes. Park Code Section 3.19 directs the Recreation and Park Department to convert irrigation in designated Recycled Water Use Areas to Recycled Water and to use it at Park golf courses.
Is there a deadline for park irrigation conversion?
The Code set a 2013 target for completing conversion, but only 'subject to the availability of funds,' so the timeline is not a hard cap enforced against the public.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in San Francisco

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All San Francisco rules

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