Yolo County, CA Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- Sec. 6-8.1104(b)
- Trigger
- Board-declared Level 3 Drought Response
- Applies to
- 4 named County Service Areas only
- Max fine
- $1,000 per day, or $1,000 misdemeanor fine
- Waiver authority
- Community Services Director, 15-day review
Summary
Once the Board of Supervisors declares a Level 3 Drought Response, Yolo County Code Sec. 6-8.1104(b) bars installing any new turf or hydroseed and limits new or expanded landscaping to drought tolerant trees, shrubs, and ground cover. The rule applies to customers of four County Service Areas: El Macero, North Davis Meadows, Willowbank, and Wild Wings.
(b) New or expanded landscaping is limited to drought tolerant trees, shrubs, and ground cover. The installation of new turf or hydroseed is prohibited.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: 2026 S-21: Supplement 2026 S-21 includes: Local legislation current through Ord. 1584, effective June 25, 2026).
Full Breakdown
1104(b), part of Article 11 (Water Conservation) of Chapter 8, kicks in only after the Director recommends and the Board of Supervisors formally declares a Level 3 Drought Response by resolution under Sec. 1108, published in a newspaper of general circulation within ten days. Under Sec. 1101, the entire Article applies to water customers of the El Macero CSA No. 1, North Davis Meadows CSA No. 10, Willowbank CSA No. 12, and Wild Wings CSA No. 15, not the whole unincorporated county, and yields to a retail supplier's own conflicting rules where one applies.
At Level 3, landscape irrigation is also capped at two assigned days per week set by the Director, ornamental lake and pond refilling is stopped except to sustain animals of significant value, and Level 1 and Level 2 measures (three-day watering schedules, twelve-minute sprinkler stations, hand-watering of unirrigated beds, and a ban on non-commercial vehicle washing) stay in force unless superseded. A property owner who believes the turf ban creates undue hardship, such as risking the loss of landscaping installed before the declaration, can apply in writing to the Community Services Director under Sec. 1110 for a waiver with an allowable watering schedule; the Director must act within fifteen business days.
Violations & Fines
Violating the turf-installation ban is a misdemeanor under Sec. 6-8.1111, punishable by up to 30 days in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both, with each day of noncompliance charged as a separate offense. The County can also pursue it as a public nuisance and issue administrative citations of up to $1,000 per violation per day, abated under Title 1, Chapter 5 (Code Enforcement).
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the turf ban apply everywhere in Yolo County?
Can I still plant drought tolerant landscaping during Level 3?
What if my turf will die without new sod?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Yolo County
California rules heatmap·Compare Yolo County to another location·View the California water use rules overview
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