Watering Regulations and Restrictions
Water use regulations and restrictions are conditions of service which are in effect year round; apply to all customers served water by the City of Fresno and are subject to change at any time.
Phone (559) 621-5480 for questions regarding these regulations and restrictions.
Click here for: Water Waste Reporting form
CITY OF FRESNO OUTDOOR WATERING SCHEDULE
Turf, Lawn
The installation of blue grass is prohibited. Bluegrass is a cool season, water intensive turf not suited to our semi-arid climate. It uses substantially more water than other grasses planted in our area. Until its prohibition, it was the turf of choice in many new developments in our community.
Lawns and landscapes represent an estimated 54% of the residential demand for water in Fresno. Prohibition of the installation of new bluegrass lawns can reduce the demand for water for the irrigation of turf by up to one third in new developments.
Bluegrass uses 1.46" of water per week in June compared to .95" of water for a warm season grass such as Bermuda. It also uses more water than general cool season grass varieties. Source:
Center for Irrigation Technology, California State University, Fresno.
Bermuda grass goes dormant during the winter and requires no watering.
Outdoor Water Use
Unattended, open hose (without automatic shut off device), faucet, or sprinkling device is prohibited.
Leaking, broken or improperly maintained water connections, hoses, sprinklers, faucets, hydrant, pipes, outlets, or plumbing fixtures are prohibited.
Flooding streets, drains, gutters, property, etc. is prohibited.
Flooding or sprinkling of the premises of another and/or causing damage or deterioration of property is prohibited.
Washing or rinsing privately owned vehicles (e.g., autos, truck, trailers, boats, etc.) Without a shut-off nozzle on hose is prohibited.
Washing or rinsing with a hose or watering device of any sidewalk, driveway, parking area, tennis court, patio, or any other exterior paved area, except in a way that prevents the bulk of the run-off water from entering the street and instead diverts such water to other productive purposes such as landscape irrigation, is prohibited.
Lawn sprinkling system/devices shall be properly designed, installed, maintained, operated to prevent wastage of water.
Installing or replacing air-conditioning system (including portables) without a water conservation device which is properly maintained is prohibited.
Proprietary Fees for Water Wastage Incidents
Notice #1 = First water incident - $45.00 deferred
(see Notice #4).
Notice #2 = $45.00 deferred to Notice #3 if customer
accepts the option of attending a free water
conservation class.
Notice #3 = $45.00 and previously deferred $45.00 fee
from Notice #2.
Customers shall have the option of submitting
proof of implementation of retrofit measures of
no less value than the fee imposed for such
third incident of water wastage in lieu of the fee.
Retrofit measures of a value less than that fee
shall be credited toward payment of the fee.
Notice #4 = $45.00 and previously deferred $45.00 fee from
Notice #1.
Receiving more than four incident Notices within a two year period may result in the City implementing any or all of the following measures:
A. Charge $45.00 per water waste incident.
B. Require a professional landscape evaluation and water audit at the owners expense.
C. Repair the water system at the owners expense.
D. Restrict or terminate water service.
All applicable fees will be added to the customer's utility bill.
NOTE: Section 14-137 Water Representatives shall, at all reasonable times have the right to ingress and egress from a customer's property.
Incident of Water Wastage Appeal Process
Step 1 If a customer objects to his/her incident of water wastage notice, he may call the Water Conservation Program at 621-5480 in order to discuss the incident with the inspector who issued the notice.
This issuing inspector has no authority to rescind incident notices. However, upon being contacted by the customer, the inspector shall gather the facts about the incident and explain them to the Water Conservation Supervisor, who may decide whether or not to rescind the notice.
Step 2 If the customer is not satisfied with the decision of the Water Conservation Supervisor, he/she may appeal to the Water Systems Manager who shall review such appeal and render a written decision within thirty days of such appeal.
Step 3 If the customer is not satisfied with the decision of the water Systems Manager he/she may appeal to the Director of Public Utilities who shall review such appeal and render a written decision thirty days after receiving such an appeal.
Step 4 The customer may make a final appeal directly to the City Council if still not satisfied. The appeal listed in Step 2 above shall be filed in writing within thirty days of the date of the utility billing on which the fee for the water wastage charge has been imposed. Each subsequent appeal shall be filed in writing within 30 days from the date of the written decision being appealed.