Union City, CA Water Use Rules: Recycled Water Rules (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- UCMC § 18.112.150
- Classification
- special landscape area
- ET adjustment factor cap
- up to 1.0 for recycled water
- Must comply with
- state and local recycled water law
Summary
Union City requires covered landscape irrigation systems to accommodate current or future recycled-water use and to meet state and local recycled-water standards, capping the water-use factor for those areas at 1.0.
A. The installation of recycled water irrigation systems shall allow for the current and future use of recycled water. B. All recycled water irrigation systems shall be designed and operated in accordance with all applicable local and State laws. C. Landscapes using recycled water are considered special landscape areas. The ET adjustment factor for 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: rev 4940544; v16 updated 2026-06-23).
Full Breakdown
Section 18.112.150 of the Water Efficient Landscape chapter requires recycled water irrigation systems on covered projects to be designed and operated in compliance with all applicable state and local law, and to allow for current and future recycled-water use. Landscapes irrigated with recycled water are classified as special landscape areas, letting their evapotranspiration adjustment factor run up to 1.0 instead of the standard 0.55 (residential) or 0.45 (non-residential) cap that applies to potable-water irrigation. The irrigation design plan under Section 18.112.080 must specify any recycled-water systems.
Violations & Fines
An irrigation design plan on a covered project that fails to accommodate recycled-water use or that misapplies the special landscape ETAF cap can be rejected during Chapter 18.112 plan review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does recycled water get a different water budget?
Who supplies recycled water in Union City?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Union City
California rules heatmap·Compare Union City to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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Recycled Water Rules in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Alameda County handle recycled water rules.