Water Waste Prohibitions
San Diego Municipal Code § 67.3803
in effect§67.3803 Water Waste Prohibitions
To prevent the waste of water and to promote water conservation, each of the following actions is prohibited, except where necessary to address an immediate health and safety need or to comply with a term or condition in a permit issued by a state or federal agency:
(a) Using potable water for the irrigation of non-functional turf for commercial, industrial, and institutional properties per timelines and requirements set forth in California Water Code section 10608.14, as may be amended.
Section 67.3803(a) shall not apply to turf irrigated with recycled water or to functional turf.
(b) Applying potable water to outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes irrigation runoff or uncorrected leaks such that water flows onto adjacent property, non-irrigated areas, private and public walkways, roadways, parking lots, or structures.
(c) Failing to repair or stop water leaks upon discovery or within 72 hours of notification by the City of San Diego.
(d) Washing down sidewalks, driveways, parking areas, tennis courts, or other paved areas without using a power washer or a hose with a shutoff nozzle. Washing any paved areas is only allowed to alleviate immediate safety or sanitation hazards. Wash water shall be collected and prevented from leaving the property and entering the municipal separate storm sewer system under Chapter 4, Article 3, Division 3 of this Code.
(e) Overfilling swimming pools and spas.
(f) Using non-recirculating ornamental fountains or cascading fountains.
(g) Washing vehicles at non-commercial vehicle washes.
(h) Using a hose that dispenses potable water to wash a vehicle, except where the hose is fitted with a shut-off nozzle or device attached to it that causes it to cease dispensing water immediately when not in use.
(i) Using single pass-through cooling systems as part of water service connections. Using non-recirculating systems in all conveyer car wash and commercial laundry systems.
(j) Serving drinking water other than upon request in eating or drinking establishments, including restaurants, hotels, cafes, cafeterias, bars, or other public places where food or drink are served or purchased.
Ch. Art. Div. 6 7 38 4
(k) Operating a hotel or motel without providing guests the option of choosing not to have towels and linens laundered daily or prominently displaying notice of this option in each guestroom using clear and easily understood language.
(l) Irrigating potted plants, non-commercial vegetable gardens and fruit trees, residential and commercial landscapes, including golf courses, parks, school grounds and recreation fields, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. A customer may irrigate at any time the following:
(1) as required by a landscape permit;
(2) for erosion control;
(3) for establishment, repair, or renovation of public use fields for schools and parks;
(4) for landscape establishment following a disaster. Such irrigation is permitted for a period of up to two months, after which a hardship variance is required in accordance with section 67.3806.
(5) for renovation or repair of an irrigation system with an operator present; or
(6) for nursery and commercial growers using a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle, a hand-held container, or when a drip or micro-irrigation system or equipment is used. Irrigation of nursery propagation beds is permitted at any time.
(m) The irrigation with potable water of non-functional turf on public street medians.
(n) The irrigation with potable water of landscapes outside of newly constructed homes and buildings in a manner inconsistent with regulations or other requirements established by the California Building Standards Commission and the Department of Housing and Community Development.
(o) The application of potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall.
(Renumbered from Sec. 67.38.2 and amended 10-19-1998 by O-18596 N.S.)
(Former Section 67.3803 repealed and added “Water Waste Prohibitions” 12-15-08 by O-19812 N.S; effective 1-14-2009.)
(Amended 12-7-2010 by O-20008 N.S.; effective 1-6-2011.)
(Amended 10-3-2011 by O-20093 N.S.; effective 11-2-2011.) (Amended 6-29-2015 by O-20517 N.S.; effective 6-29-2015.)
(Amended 8-4-2016 by O-20699 N.S.; effective 9-3-2016.)
(Amended 6-15-2026 by O-22105 N.S.; effective 7-15-2026.)
Source: City of San Diego Office of the City Clerk, San Diego Municipal Code and City Charter (docs.sandiego.gov PDFs)URL: https://docs.sandiego.gov/municode/MuniCodeChapter06/Ch06Art07Division38.pdf#page=4Fetched: 10/28/2026