Santa Monica, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Applicability threshold
- 7,500 sq ft or more total floor area
- Geographic scope
- Within City's recycled water service area
- Effective date
- January 1, 2023
- Required uses
- 100% recycled water for surface irrigation and/or dual-plumbing
- Fire suppression exemption
- Must use potable water unless LACDPH allows otherwise
- Permit required
- City building permit plus conditional LACDPH approval
Summary
New developments in Santa Monica's recycled water service area with at least 7,500 sq ft of floor area must use 100% recycled water for surface irrigation and eligible dual-plumbing applications, effective January 1, 2023.
§ 7.12.170. Recycled water requirements. (a) Recycled Water Use. Recycled water shall be used within the City's recycled water service area in-lieu of potable water for all approved uses consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws effective January 1, 2023. ... (c) Applicability for Mandatory Recycled Water Use. All new development within the recycled water service area and with a total floor area of seven thousand five hundred square feet or more shall be required to utilize one hundred percent recycled water for surface irrigation and/or dual-plumbing applications. (d)(2) Fire protection systems in any development may not utilize recycled water and must be supplied by a separate potable water system unless allowed by LACDPH.
Full Breakdown
Mandatory recycled water use applies to new development projects at or above 7,500 sq ft within the designated recycled water service area. Allowed non-potable applications include landscape irrigation of parks, playgrounds, school yards, residential and freeway landscaping, golf courses, and cemeteries, plus dual-plumbing for toilet/urinal flushing, cooling towers, commercial laundries, and boiler feeds. Applicants must obtain a building permit from the City plus conditional approval from the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (LACDPH). Fire suppression systems are exempt and must remain on potable water unless LACDPH authorizes otherwise.
Violations & Fines
Violations are subject to penalty provisions in Chapter 1.08 of the Santa Monica Municipal Code.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does my new commercial building need to use recycled water?
Can recycled water be used for fire sprinklers?
What approval do I need before connecting to recycled water?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Santa Monica
California rules heatmap·Compare Santa Monica to another location·View the California water use rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.
Recycled Water Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Los Angeles County handle recycled water rules.