DROUGHT RESPONSE STAGE FOUR REGULATIONS.
Austin City Code § 6-4-19
in effect§ 6-4-19 - DROUGHT RESPONSE STAGE FOUR REGULATIONS.
(A) This section prescribes Drought Response Stage Four Regulations and applies during a period ordered by the city manager in accordance with Section 6-4-13(C) (Water Conservation Guidelines).
(B) A person may not irrigate outdoors except on a designated outdoor water use day for the location.
(C) A person may not irrigate nonfunctional turf with automatic or manual irrigation system, drip irrigation, or hose-end sprinkler.
(D) A person may not irrigate outdoors with an automatic or drip irrigation system between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and midnight even if the irrigation occurs on the designated outdoor water use day for the location.
(E) A person may not irrigate outdoors with a hose-end sprinkler except between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. or between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. even if the irrigation occurs on the designated outdoor water use day for the location.
(F) A person may not operate a charity car wash. It is not a defense to a violation of this section that the charity car wash occurred on a designated outdoor water use day for the location.
(G) A person may not use or allow the use of water to wash or rinse an automobile, truck, trailer, boat, airplane, motorcycle, or other mobile equipment or vehicle, unless using a single, refillable vessel with water. A person commits a separate offense for each vehicle or piece of equipment washed in violation of this subsection. It is an affirmative defense to a violation of this subsection that the water use occurred at a vehicle wash facility for the water use charged in the complaint.
(H) A person may not fill a spa.
(I) A person may not operate a splash pad except between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m.
(J) A person may not operate a patio mister at a commercial facility except between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.
(K) A person may not operate an ornamental fountain with an aerial emission of water or aerial fall of water greater than four inches in distance other than for aeration necessary to preserve habitat for aquatic life.
(L) A person may not use or allow the use of water to wash, rinse, or treat any outdoor surface, including but not limited to a sidewalk, driveway, parking area, street, tennis court, patio, or other paved area or outdoor building surface, unless using a hose with a positive shutoff valve or a single, refillable vessel with water. A person commits a separate offense for each outdoor surface washed in violation of this subsection.
(M) On or after the city manager orders that Drought Response Stage Four Regulations are in effect, the director of Development Services may not approve new permits to install:
(1) irrigation systems; or
(2) swimming pools, or spas at single-family residential properties.
Source: Ord. 20120816-004; Ord. No. 20201210-007, Pts. 13, 17, 12-21-20; Ord. No. 20240502-006, Pt. 12, 5-13-24; Ord. No. 20241121-006, Pt. 6, 12-2-24.
Source: City of Austin, City Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tx/austin/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT6ENCOCO_CH6-4WACO_ART3DRCOPLCOST_S6-4-19DRRESTFOREFetched: 10/27/2026