Reno, NV Water Use Rules: Turf Replacement Rebates (2026)
Key Facts
- Watering days
- Even Tue/Thu/Sat, odd Wed/Fri/Sun
- Summer midday ban
- No watering noon-6 p.m., Memorial-Labor Day
- Emergency lawn ban
- New seeded lawns banned May 16-Sept 15
- Enforcement
- Public works dept. and TMWA
- Penalty
- Civil infraction, fine, appealable to municipal court
Summary
Reno restricts installing new sod or hydroseeded lawns during declared water emergencies and limits established lawn irrigation to three assigned days a week under Reno Municipal Code Chapter 12.14, enforced by the public works department and Truckee Meadows Water Authority.
C. During a water emergency declared pursuant to section 12.14.095, it shall be unlawful: (1) to plant a seeded or hydroseeded lawn from May 16 through September 15; and (2) for a restaurant to serve water to a customer except upon request of said customer.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Administrative Code: Supplement 64 | Land Development Code: Supplement 5 Update 1).
Full Breakdown
Reno Municipal Code Chapter 12.14 governs turf and lawn-watering citywide. Section 12.14.085 sets a baseline: irrigate only on assigned days (even addresses Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday; odd addresses Wednesday, Friday, Sunday), no watering between noon and 6 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and, once the city council declares a water emergency under Section 12.14.095, an outright ban on planting seeded or hydroseeded lawns from May 16 through September 15. Section 12.14.090 lets the council go further during a declared emergency and prohibit installing new lawns entirely for a specified period. Variances come from the applicable water purveyor, typically the Truckee Meadows Water Authority.
Violations & Fines
Watering on the wrong day, letting water run to waste, or planting/installing a new lawn during a declared emergency ban is a civil infraction. The public works department issues a notice of infraction and civil fine, appealable to Reno Municipal Court.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Official References
Other rules in Reno
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