Anaheim CA Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Anaheim, California

Anaheim is under Level 1 Conservation restrictions, limiting outdoor irrigation to 2 designated days per week under a mandatory order issued by Anaheim Public Utilities.

The restrictions stem directly from the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) declaring a Level 1 Water Shortage Emergency in March 2026 after the State Water Project allocation was cut to just 30% of requested amounts. MWD serves 26 member agencies across the region, and Anaheim Public Utilities — as one of those members — is required to enforce corresponding local restrictions. This is the fourth consecutive below-average precipitation year for Southern California, compounding stress on already-reduced imported water supplies.

The State Water Project delivers water from Northern California through the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta and the California Aqueduct. When those allocations drop, cities like Anaheim that depend on MWD-delivered imported water face immediate supply pressure. Anaheim also draws from the Orange County groundwater basin, managed by the Orange County Water District (OCWD), but imported water recharge into that basin has slowed alongside the statewide allocation cuts.

Practically speaking: a resident cannot water their garden on any random Wednesday morning. Watering must happen only on your 2 assigned days per week, and irrigation is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day. So if Wednesday is one of your assigned days, watering before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. is permitted — but watering at 10 a.m. on Wednesday is a violation. Watering on a day that is not one of your 2 assigned days is also a violation, regardless of the hour.

These restrictions remain in effect until conditions improve, with no fixed end date currently published by Anaheim Public Utilities. Residents should monitor updates at anaheim.net/utilities.

Your assigned watering schedule

Rule	Details
Days per week	2
Day assignment	2 assigned days/week based on address
Allowed hours	Before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. only
Hand watering	Exempt — shut-off nozzle required
Drip irrigation	Exempt from day/time restrictions
New sod/seed	30-day establishment window — register with Anaheim Public Utilities

In Anaheim, outdoor irrigation day assignments are typically based on your street address number. Even-numbered addresses are generally assigned specific days (such as Wednesday and Saturday), while odd-numbered addresses are assigned alternate days (such as Thursday and Sunday). Because Anaheim Public Utilities can adjust these assignments as conditions change, confirm your exact days at anaheim.net/utilities or by checking your utility bill communication.

The no-watering window of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. applies regardless of day. This rule exists to reduce evaporation losses during peak heat hours — a meaningful issue in Anaheim's inland basin climate, where summer afternoons regularly exceed 90°F. Irrigation running at noon loses substantially more water to the air than the same runtime at 6 a.m.

Multi-family residential properties and commercial properties fall under the same 2-days-per-week structure. Homeowners associations managing shared landscaping must comply with the same day and time restrictions as individual homeowners. Large commercial accounts with dedicated irrigation meters are also subject to Level 1 limits and should contact Anaheim Public Utilities directly if their property has complex irrigation needs that require clarification.

If you have recently installed new sod, hydroseed, or ground-cover plantings, a temporary establishment exemption may apply for up to 30 days. This requires advance registration with Anaheim Public Utilities — watering at unapproved frequency without registration still constitutes a violation. During establishment, irrigation is still subject to the no-watering hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Several tree species common in Anaheim's neighborhoods — including Southern California black walnut (Juglans californica), coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia), and California sycamore (Platanus racemosa) — are recognized as high-value shade and habitat trees. Deep, infrequent watering via drip or soaker hose directly to the root zone is the recommended approach under restrictions, since drip irrigation is exempt from the 2-days-per-week rule.

Fines and penalties

Offense	Penalty
First violation	Written warning — no fine
Second violation	Monetary fine issued by Anaheim Public Utilities
Subsequent violations	Escalating fines; potential flow restrictor installation

Anaheim Public Utilities uses a graduated enforcement approach. First-time violations result in a written warning, giving residents an opportunity to correct the behavior before any monetary penalty applies. Repeat violations move to assessed fines, and continued non-compliance can result in escalating penalties or the installation of a flow-restricting device on your service line — a step that significantly reduces water pressure throughout your property. Removing or tampering with a flow restrictor constitutes a separate violation.

Enforcement in Anaheim comes through multiple channels: Anaheim Public Utilities field staff conduct patrols, particularly in residential neighborhoods during peak watering hours. The utility's smart meter infrastructure — which provides interval-level usage data — can flag properties showing water use patterns inconsistent with the 2-days-per-week schedule. Neighbor complaints are also a formal reporting mechanism; Anaheim Public Utilities investigates reported violations. If you receive a notice you believe was issued in error — for example, if drip irrigation was misidentified as prohibited sprinkler use — contact Anaheim Public Utilities directly to initiate a review. Document your irrigation system type and controller settings before any such contact.

Other outdoor water rules

Beyond lawn and landscape irrigation, Level 1 restrictions in Anaheim cover several other outdoor water uses. Given Anaheim's warm, dry climate and the prevalence of backyard pools and home car washing, these rules are frequently relevant to residential properties.

• Swimming pools and spas: Draining and refilling pools or spas is prohibited except for structural repair or health and safety reasons. Pool and spa owners must use a cover to reduce evaporation — a meaningful requirement in Anaheim where pool surface evaporation can exceed 1 inch per week in summer.
• Car washing: Washing a vehicle at home is only permitted using a hand-held hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle. Leaving a hose running unattended while washing a car is prohibited.
• Pressure washing: Pressure washing of paved surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios is prohibited except where necessary for health or safety. Sweeping or blowing debris is the required alternative.
• Decorative fountains and water features: Decorative water features that do not recirculate water are prohibited. Recirculating fountain systems may continue operating.
• Runoff: Allowing irrigation water to run off your property onto a sidewalk, street, or gutter is prohibited regardless of conservation stage — this rule is permanent under Anaheim's existing water waste ordinance.
• Restaurant water service: Restaurants and other food service establishments may not serve drinking water to patrons unless the patron requests it.

Anaheim's water supply and source

Anaheim's water supply comes from two primary sources: imported water delivered by the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California (MWD) and local groundwater pumped from the Orange County Groundwater Basin, managed by the Orange County Water District (OCWD).

MWD-imported water originates from two major systems. The State Water Project (SWP) delivers water from the Sacramento–San Joaquin Delta through the California Aqueduct, which runs approximately 444 miles south to the Castaic Lake and Perris Reservoir storage facilities before distribution to member agencies including Anaheim. The Colorado River Aqueduct — the second MWD supply corridor — carries water from Lake Havasu on the California–Arizona border, where the Colorado River is diverted westward to MWD's Lake Mathews terminal reservoir in Riverside County. With the State Water Project allocation reduced to 30% in 2026, Anaheim is receiving substantially less of this imported supply.

Local groundwater from the Orange County Groundwater Basin provides a buffer against imported water cuts. OCWD manages this basin and recharges it using a combination of Santa Ana River flows captured at Prado Dam and recycled water from the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS) — one of the world's largest indirect potable reuse facilities, located in Fountain Valley. Anaheim's wells pump treated groundwater from this basin, processed through the Lenain Water Treatment Plant in Anaheim Hills, which serves much of the city's eastern service area.

The GWRS provides some insulation from Northern California drought conditions, but recharge capacity is constrained by Santa Ana River flows — which themselves decline during dry years. When both imported supply and local recharge are under pressure simultaneously, as is currently the case, Anaheim's overall supply reliability tightens and conservation measures become operationally necessary rather than precautionary.

HOA rules during water restrictions

California Government Code § 65595 and AB 2100 (enacted 2014, codified at Civil Code § 4735) prohibit homeowners associations from imposing fines or penalties on residents for failing to maintain a green lawn during a declared water shortage emergency. Under the current Level 1 Conservation order issued by Anaheim Public Utilities in compliance with MWD's mandate, Anaheim residents have explicit legal protection against HOA enforcement actions related to drought-brown or reduced turf.

Civil Code § 4735 further prohibits HOAs from requiring a homeowner to plant or maintain grass or landscaping that requires more water than the local water agency's restrictions permit. This means an HOA cannot legally cite a homeowner for replacing a lawn with drought-tolerant or low-water landscaping, provided the installation complies with local ordinances. If your HOA has issued a violation notice related to brown grass or reduced irrigation during the current restriction period, you are entitled to a written explanation from the HOA and may dispute the violation under California's HOA dispute resolution process.

Use this template to respond to an HOA violation notice:

"This notice is to inform you that my property's current landscape appearance is a direct result of compliance with the mandatory Level 1 Conservation restrictions issued by Anaheim Public Utilities. Under California Civil Code § 4735, homeowners associations may not impose fines or penalties for reduced or dead landscaping that results from compliance with a local water agency's water shortage restrictions. I am in compliance with all applicable irrigation limits. Please rescind this violation notice and confirm in writing that no fine will be assessed."

Lawn survival guide for Anaheim

Anaheim's Mediterranean climate — hot, dry summers and mild winters — supports a specific set of turfgrasses. Under Level 1 restrictions, knowing which grasses can survive on reduced irrigation and which cannot is critical to avoiding dead turf without wasting water.

Grass Type	Drought Tolerance	Survives 2 Days/Week?	Notes
Hybrid Bermudagrass	High	Yes	Goes dormant in winter; recovers well from drought stress
Tall Fescue	Moderate	Marginal in peak summer	Deeper roots help; may brown in July–August without supplemental deep watering
UC Verde Buffalograss	Very High	Yes — often needs less	Native to North American plains; extremely low water; UC-developed variety for CA lawns
Common Bermudagrass	High	Yes	More aggressive spreading than hybrids; tolerates Anaheim heat well

For Anaheim homeowners with Bermudagrass, the 2-days-per-week limit is workable through summer if watering sessions run long enough to wet the soil 6–8 inches deep. Bermudagrass has an aggressive root system and will enter dormancy — turning tan — before dying, giving it a buffer during water stress. Raise your mowing height to 1.5–2 inches to reduce surface stress and improve moisture retention. Tall Fescue lawns are more vulnerable; in Anaheim's July and August heat, 2 days per week may not keep Tall Fescue fully green, particularly in south- or west-facing yards. Accepting some summer dormancy is the realistic outcome unless you switch to drip-fed ground cover.

Anaheim Public Utilities actively promotes lawn-to-landscape conversions through its WaterSmart Landscape Rebate Program, which offers financial incentives for replacing turf with low-water-use plants, decomposed granite, or permeable hardscape. Given that outdoor irrigation typically accounts for more than 50% of household water use in Southern California, turf removal is the single highest-impact conservation action an Anaheim homeowner can take. Southern California native plants such as Salvia apiana (white sage), Artemisia californica (California sagebrush), and Agave shawii require minimal supplemental irrigation once established and are well-suited to Anaheim's soil and climate conditions.

Frequently asked questions

What days can I water my lawn in Anaheim right now?

You are assigned 2 specific days per week based on your street address. Even-numbered addresses and odd-numbered addresses receive different day combinations — check your current assignment at anaheim.net/utilities or on your utility bill. Regardless of which days are assigned, irrigation is prohibited between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any day.

What happens if I water on a day that isn't one of my assigned days?

Watering outside your assigned 2 days is a violation of Anaheim's mandatory Level 1 Conservation order. A first offense results in a written warning from Anaheim Public Utilities with no fine. A second violation triggers a monetary fine. Continued violations can lead to escalating fines and installation of a flow restrictor on your service connection.

Does Anaheim Public Utilities use smart meters to catch water restriction violations?

Yes. Anaheim Public Utilities has deployed advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) that records water use in intervals throughout the day. Usage data that shows irrigation occurring outside of permitted hours or on non-assigned days can flag a property for follow-up by field staff. Smart meter data combined with patrol observations and neighbor reports form the three main enforcement inputs the utility uses.

Can I wash my car at home in Anaheim during Level 1 restrictions?

Yes, but only with a hand-held hose fitted with a positive shut-off nozzle that stops water flow when you release your grip. Running a hose continuously without a shut-off nozzle is prohibited. Commercial car washes that recycle their wash water are permitted and are generally a more water-efficient option during restrictions.

Does my Anaheim HOA have the right to fine me for a brown lawn right now?

No. Under California Civil Code § 4735, your HOA cannot fine you for reduced or dormant lawn condition that results from complying with Anaheim Public Utilities' mandatory Level 1 Conservation order. If your HOA issues a violation notice related to your lawn's appearance during the current restriction period, send a written response citing Civil Code § 4735 and referencing the current mandatory conservation order. The HOA is legally required to rescind the fine.

What rebates does Anaheim Public Utilities offer for removing my lawn?

Anaheim Public Utilities offers turf replacement rebates through its WaterSmart Landscape Rebate Program. Eligible residents who replace irrigated turf with drought-tolerant landscaping or permeable hardscape can receive per-square-foot rebates. Additional rebates are available for weather-based smart irrigation controllers (which adjust watering automatically based on evapotranspiration data), high-efficiency rotating sprinkler nozzles, and drip irrigation conversions. Check current rebate amounts at anaheim.net/utilities, as payment levels are updated when program funding changes.

Is drip irrigation exempt from the 2-days-per-week restriction in Anaheim?

Yes. Drip irrigation and subsurface irrigation systems are exempt from the 2-days-per-week schedule because they apply water directly to the root zone with minimal evaporation and runoff. This exemption makes drip systems one of the most practical investments for Anaheim homeowners with vegetable gardens, shrub beds, or fruit trees — all of which can continue receiving water on their own schedule as long as drip emitters are used. The no-irrigation hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. technically apply to all irrigation, though the primary enforcement focus for that rule is overhead sprinkler and rotor systems.

What if I'm traveling and my irrigation controller waters on a prohibited day by mistake?

You are responsible for your irrigation controller's programming under Anaheim's water restriction ordinance, regardless of whether you are home. A first violation still results in a warning rather than an immediate fine, but repeated controller-based violations will not be excused on the grounds that you were unaware. Before traveling, reprogram your controller to water only on your 2 assigned days and only during permitted hours. Weather-based smart controllers — which Anaheim Public Utilities offers rebates for — can also be remotely monitored and adjusted via smartphone, reducing the risk of unintended violations while you're away.

What time can I water in Anaheim?

Watering is allowed Not 9am-5pm. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Anaheim?

First offense: Warning first. Repeat violations: Fines. Contact Anaheim Public Utilities for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Anaheim?

Current Level 1 Conservation restrictions are in effect through Until conditions improve. Monitor https://www.anaheim.net/utilities for the latest status.

Can I hand water during Anaheim water restrictions?

Yes. Hand watering with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle is generally allowed on any day during permitted hours. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are also typically exempt from the day-of-week schedule. Confirm specifics with Anaheim Public Utilities.