Sacramento CA Water Restrictions 2026

Current water restrictions in Sacramento, California

Sacramento is under Stage 1 mandatory restrictions, limiting outdoor irrigation to 2 days per week on an odd/even address schedule enforced by the City of Sacramento Utilities.

The City of Sacramento Utilities implemented Stage 1 restrictions as part of its tiered drought response program. The current restrictions reflect ongoing pressure on the region's water supply, driven by consecutive below-average precipitation years and reduced allocations from the State Water Project — Sacramento's primary surface water source. At Stage 1, the city targets measurable reductions in outdoor water use, which accounts for roughly 50% of residential consumption during summer months.

At the state level, California's Metropolitan Water District issued a Level 1 conservation notice to 26 member agencies in March 2026 after State Water Project allocations were cut to 30% of requested amounts. While Sacramento draws from the Sacramento River and Folsom Lake rather than MWD's Southern California network, state-level conditions influence policy direction and may accelerate local stage escalations if storage levels decline further.

Practically, this means a resident with a house number ending in an odd digit — say, 4817 Freeport Boulevard — can run their sprinklers on Wednesdays and Saturdays, but not between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on those days. A neighbor at an even-numbered address waters on Thursdays and Sundays under the same hour restrictions. Hand watering with a shut-off nozzle and drip irrigation remain exempt under Stage 1 and are not limited to those two days. Running a sprinkler on an off day — say, a Friday — constitutes a violation regardless of time.

Sacramento's watering days and hours

Rule	Details
Days per week	2
Day assignment	Odd addresses: Wednesday and Saturday; Even addresses: Thursday and Sunday
Allowed hours	Watering prohibited between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.
Hand watering	Exempt — shut-off nozzle required at all times
Drip irrigation	Exempt from day and hour restrictions under Stage 1
New sod or seed	30-day establishment window typically available — register in advance with City of Sacramento Utilities

Your odd or even designation is based on the last digit of your street address number, not your parcel number or utility account number. If your address is 3205 Land Park Drive, that's odd — Wednesday and Saturday are your days. If you live at 2840 T Street, that's even — Thursday and Sunday apply. Corner lots or addresses with letters (such as "1/2" units) should contact City of Sacramento Utilities directly at cityofsacramento.org/utilities to confirm their schedule assignment.

Multi-family residential properties and commercial accounts are typically assigned a schedule based on the primary address number of the building, not individual unit numbers. Property managers at complexes along Watt Avenue or in the Natomas area are responsible for ensuring irrigation controllers are programmed accordingly for all common-area landscaping. Commercial irrigation meters may be subject to additional audit under Stage 1 if usage patterns suggest consistent overuse.

Sacramento's urban tree canopy includes mature valley oaks (Quercus lobata), California sycamores (Platanus racemosa), and coast redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) that are widely planted in residential neighborhoods. These trees are not exempt from the schedule in terms of sprinkler or hose-end use, but deep watering via drip or soaker hose at the root zone is exempt and strongly preferable — particularly for established valley oaks, which are vulnerable to root rot from frequent shallow sprinkler contact.

Violation fines and enforcement

Offense	Penalty
First violation	Written warning — no monetary fine
Second violation	Monetary fine issued by City of Sacramento Utilities
Subsequent violations	Escalating fines; potential flow restrictor installation

City of Sacramento Utilities enforces Stage 1 restrictions through a combination of customer complaint reports, field patrols by water conservation staff, and data analysis from the city's Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meter network. Sacramento has deployed AMI meters across much of the service area, allowing analysts to flag accounts that show irrigation usage on restricted days or during the prohibited midday window. Complaints submitted via the city's online portal are typically assigned for follow-up within a few business days during peak summer enforcement periods.

If you receive a warning or citation you believe was issued in error — for example, if your drip system triggered a flag despite being exempt — you can request an administrative review through City of Sacramento Utilities. Bring documentation such as a controller printout or drip system invoice to support an exemption claim. The city's water conservation office can be reached through the main utilities portal at cityofsacramento.org/utilities.

Other outdoor water rules

Stage 1 restrictions in Sacramento extend beyond lawn irrigation. The following activities carry specific rules under the current conservation stage:

• Vehicle washing: Washing a car, truck, or boat at home is permitted only with a shut-off nozzle on the hose. Running a hose continuously while washing is prohibited under Stage 1. Commercial car washes that recirculate water are permitted without restriction.
• Pools and spas: Filling a new residential pool or spa is discouraged under Stage 1 and may require approval from City of Sacramento Utilities. Topping off an existing pool to offset evaporation is allowed. Pool covers are strongly recommended given Sacramento's hot, dry summers, which can drive evaporation losses of 1 to 2 inches per week in July and August.
• Fountains and water features: Decorative fountains that do not recirculate water must be shut off under Stage 1. Recirculating fountains may remain operational.
• Pressure washing: Hosing down driveways, patios, and sidewalks with potable water for cleaning purposes is prohibited. Pressure washing for health or safety purposes (mold removal, for example) is permitted with a shut-off nozzle.
• Restaurants: Restaurants in Sacramento may not serve water to customers unless explicitly requested, a rule that has been in effect under various Sacramento conservation ordinances and applies at Stage 1.
• Construction: Contractors using potable water for dust suppression or soil compaction at Sacramento-area job sites should verify current permits with the city, as recycled water use is preferred where available.

How Sacramento gets its water

Sacramento's municipal water supply comes primarily from two surface water sources: the Sacramento River and Folsom Lake, a reservoir on the American River located approximately 25 miles northeast of downtown. Folsom Lake is operated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and is a central component of the Central Valley Project, storing runoff from the Sierra Nevada's American River watershed. The lake has a capacity of approximately 977,000 acre-feet under normal conditions, though drought years have seen it drop well below 30% of capacity in recent history.

The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District and the Sacramento County Water Agency also serve portions of the greater Sacramento area, but the City of Sacramento Utilities operates its own treatment infrastructure, including the E. A. Fairbairn Water Treatment Plant, which processes Sacramento River water, and the Sacramento River Water Treatment Plant, both of which serve city residents. Treated water is distributed through a system that serves roughly 550,000 people within city limits.

Sacramento also maintains access to groundwater through wells in the region's deep alluvial aquifer system, which underlies much of the Central Valley. These wells serve as a supplemental and emergency supply but are not the primary source under normal operating conditions. During Stage 1, the city may increase groundwater pumping to relieve surface water demand, though long-term aquifer management is subject to California's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), which requires local agencies to achieve groundwater sustainability by 2040.

State Water Project deliveries via the Delta-Mendota Canal and the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta also feed into the broader regional system, but Sacramento's geographic position at the confluence of the Sacramento and American Rivers gives it a distinct supply advantage compared to Southern California agencies that depend more heavily on imported water from distant sources.

HOA and brown lawn protections

California Government Code § 65595, strengthened by Assembly Bill 2100, prohibits homeowners associations from fining or penalizing Sacramento-area residents for reduced lawn greenness or visible drought-related landscape changes when a declared water shortage emergency is in effect. Under Stage 1 mandatory restrictions, homeowners following the City of Sacramento Utilities odd/even schedule are protected from HOA enforcement actions targeting brown or dormant turf.

This protection extends to the replacement of turf with drought-tolerant or water-efficient landscaping. An HOA in a Sacramento neighborhood — whether in Elk Grove-adjacent areas or newer subdivisions in Natomas — cannot block a homeowner from installing drought-tolerant plants, permeable hardscaping, or mulched areas in place of a traditional lawn, provided the replacement complies with local landscape ordinance standards for fire safety and aesthetics.

If your HOA sends a violation notice related to your lawn's condition while you are complying with Stage 1 restrictions, use this template response:

"I am writing in response to your notice dated [date]. My property at [address] is in full compliance with the Stage 1 mandatory outdoor watering restrictions currently in effect under the City of Sacramento Utilities drought conservation program. Under California Government Code § 65595 and AB 2100, homeowners associations may not impose fines or penalties for reduced landscape irrigation or visible turf dormancy during a declared water shortage. I am not in violation of HOA rules. Please confirm in writing that this notice is withdrawn."

If the HOA does not respond appropriately, the California Department of Consumer Affairs' Common Interest Development Unit accepts complaints, and residents may also seek guidance from the Sacramento County Department of Consumer Affairs.

Keeping your lawn alive on restricted water

Sacramento's Mediterranean climate — hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters — supports a specific set of turfgrasses. Only warm-season and drought-adapted varieties thrive under these conditions.

Grass Type	Drought Tolerance	Watering Days Needed	Stage 1 Survivability
Bermudagrass	High	1–2 days/week when established	Good — goes dormant, recovers well
Tall Fescue	Moderate	2 days/week minimum in summer	Fair — stress visible by August without deep watering
UC Verde Buffalograss	Very High	Once every 2–3 weeks when established	Excellent — bred for California's dry summers

Sacramento summers routinely exceed 100°F for stretches of 10 or more consecutive days, particularly in July and August. During heat events, Tall Fescue lawns will show browning even on a 2-day schedule unless watering is timed correctly. Water deeply on your assigned days — targeting 6 to 8 inches of soil penetration — rather than shallowly and frequently. Run irrigation in the early morning hours (before 10 a.m.) or in the evening after 6 p.m. to minimize evaporation loss; Sacramento's low summer humidity means midday evaporation rates are high, and watering during the prohibited window wastes as much water as it delivers.

If your lawn is Tall Fescue — the most common grass in Sacramento residential neighborhoods — consider raising your mowing height to 3.5 to 4 inches during summer. Taller blades shade the soil, slow moisture evaporation, and reduce heat stress. Overseeding or dethatching should be scheduled for October through November when rainfall resumes and temperatures drop below 85°F consistently. City of Sacramento Utilities' WaterSmart program offers free irrigation audits for residential customers, which can identify controller settings or lateral inefficiencies that let you stretch your two allowed days further.

Sacramento water restriction FAQ

What days can I water if my address is 3411 Riverside Boulevard?

3411 is an odd number, so your assigned watering days under Sacramento's Stage 1 odd/even schedule are Wednesday and Saturday. You may water before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. on those days. Watering on any other day with a sprinkler or hose-end sprinkler is a violation subject to a written warning on the first offense.

What about 2840 Stockton Boulevard — when can that address water?

2840 is an even number. Your assigned days are Thursday and Sunday, outside the 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. prohibited window. If you have a drip irrigation system or use a hand-held hose with a shut-off nozzle, those methods are exempt from the two-day limit and can be used any day.

Can I wash my car at home in Sacramento right now?

Yes, but only with a hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle. Letting water run continuously from an open hose while washing a vehicle is prohibited under Stage 1. Taking your car to a commercial car wash that recirculates water is actually the more water-efficient option and carries no restrictions under current rules.

Does City of Sacramento Utilities use smart meters to detect violations?

Yes. Sacramento has deployed Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) smart meters across a significant portion of its service area. These meters transmit hourly usage data, allowing City of Sacramento Utilities conservation staff to identify accounts with irrigation activity on off-schedule days or during the prohibited midday hours. Data-flagged accounts can receive notices without a complaint being filed by a neighbor. You can monitor your own usage data through the city's WaterSmart customer portal.

What rebates does City of Sacramento Utilities offer for turf removal?

City of Sacramento Utilities runs a Water-Efficient Landscape rebate program that pays residential customers for replacing irrigated turf with water-efficient landscaping. Rebate amounts and qualifying plant lists are updated periodically — visit cityofsacramento.org/utilities to see the current per-square-foot rate. The California Water Service Company, which serves some Sacramento-area parcels outside the city's direct service territory, also offers a separate turf replacement rebate through the statewide SoCal Water$mart framework. Check your water bill header to confirm which agency bills your address.

Can my neighbor report me for watering on the wrong day?

Yes. City of Sacramento Utilities accepts violation reports through its online portal and by mail. Field staff prioritize complaints alongside data-flagged accounts. First offenses result in a written warning with no monetary fine; subsequent violations escalate to fines. If you believe a report was filed in error, you can request an administrative review and present evidence — such as an irrigation controller log or drip system documentation — to support an exemption claim.

Is Folsom Lake at a critically low level right now?

Folsom Lake's storage level fluctuates seasonally and year to year. The lake, managed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation as part of the Central Valley Project, has experienced multi-year drawdowns during California's recent drought cycles. Current storage data is publicly available through the California Data Exchange Center (CDEC) at cdec.water.ca.gov, where you can view Folsom Lake's current percentage of capacity in real time. Sacramento's Stage 1 designation reflects precautionary conservation in response to reduced State Water Project allocations, not necessarily a single-season reservoir emergency.

Does the two-day limit apply if I have a new lawn or freshly seeded area?

New sod and seeded areas typically qualify for a temporary establishment exemption under Sacramento's drought ordinance — usually a 30-day window during which more frequent irrigation is permitted to prevent seedling failure. You must register your establishment period with City of Sacramento Utilities before watering outside the standard schedule. Failure to register in advance can result in a warning even if your lawn is newly installed, so contact the city through cityofsacramento.org/utilities or visit a customer service office to document the start date of your establishment window.

What time can I water in Sacramento?

Watering is allowed Not 10am-6pm. Watering outside these hours is a violation even on your assigned day.

What are the fines for watering violations in Sacramento?

First offense: Warning first. Repeat violations: Fines. Contact City of Sacramento Utilities for the full enforcement schedule.

When will water restrictions end in Sacramento?

Current Stage 1 restrictions are in effect through Until conditions improve. Monitor https://www.cityofsacramento.org/utilities for the latest status.

Can I hand water during Sacramento 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 City of Sacramento Utilities.