Ventura County, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing rule
- Reclaimed water required where feasible
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Ventura County only
- Enforced by
- RMA Planning Division
- Trigger
- New landscape/irrigation permit review
Summary
Unincorporated Ventura County landscaping must use reclaimed water for irrigation whenever the resource is feasibly available, under the county's water-efficient landscaping ordinance.
Reclaimed Water. Landscaping shall utilize reclaimed water where the resource can feasibly be provided. If reclaimed water is determined to be required for the project, the irrigation system shall be designed, installed, and operated in compliance with state and local laws, requirements and regulations applicable to non-potable water use.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 51).
Full Breakdown
In the unincorporated area, Ventura County's landscape ordinance requires new landscaping to use reclaimed (recycled) water for irrigation where that resource can feasibly be provided to the site. If a project is required to use reclaimed water, its irrigation system must be designed, installed and operated to comply with all state and local non-potable water use rules. This applies countywide outside the ten incorporated cities, which regulate landscaping under their own codes.
Violations & Fines
Non-compliant landscape or irrigation plans are rejected at the Planning Division permit review stage; occupancy/zoning clearance can be withheld until the reclaimed-water requirement is met.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this apply inside Oxnard or Thousand Oaks?
What if reclaimed water isn't available to my property?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Ventura County
California rules heatmap·Compare Ventura County to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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