Yellow background with blue colored text that reads Know Your Watering Days. The graphic shows a table with a row that reads Monday - Sunday and a column with Odd and Even and water drop images under certain days. Text reads " Outdoor Watering 3 Days/Week, before 9 a.m. or after 4 p.m.

Over 80% of the LADWP’s water is imported. In response to diminishing supplies due to environmental issues in the Sacramento–San Joaquin River Delta and local droughts, the City of Los Angeles has adopted several water conserving ordinances. Learn how you can make a difference and conserve water. Find out about what is required to do your part, how you can apply for variances, and access quick facts and tips.

Report Water Waste

Watering Days & Restrictions

Based on the last number of your street address, your watering days are as follows:

ODD: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays
EVEN: Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays

Water use restrictions include but are not limited to:
 

Watering with sprinklers is limited to one cycle of up to 8 minutes per station per watering day for non-conserving nozzle sprinkler systems (typical residential system), or two 15-minute cycles per watering day for conserving nozzle sprinkler systems.

  • ALL outdoor watering is prohibited from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • No runoff onto streets, driveways, and gutters.
  • No watering of any hard surfaces such as sidewalks, walkways, driveways, or parking areas.
  • Hand watering with a self-closing shut-off nozzle on the hose is permitted any day of the week before 9:00 a.m. or after 4:00 p.m.
  • All leaks must be repaired in a timely manner.
  • No washing vehicles without using a hose with a self-closing water shut-off nozzle.
     

Know Your Watering Days Fact Sheet 

Fines

Customers found to be in violation of the 3-Days-a-Week Watering Ordinance will receive direct communication from us and may be fined if the violation is not corrected. The first notice is a written warning. Subsequent violations can result in fines ranging from $100 to $600, as shown below. No monetary citations will be issued without prior warning.

City of Los Angeles is Currently in Phase 2 of Water Conservation 

Water meter fines for meters smaller than two (2) inches
Violation Stage Phase 1 Phase 2 (Current) Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6
1st Written Warning $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Board Authority
2nd Written Violation $50 $100 $200 $300 $400 Board Authority
3rd Written Violation $100 $200 $400 $600 $800 Board Authority
4th Written Violation $150 $300 $600 $900 $1,200 Board Authority
5th Written Violation Flow Restriction Flow Restriction Flow Restriction Flow Restriction Flow Restriction Board Authority
Water meter fines for meters two (2) inches and larger
Violation Stage Phase 1 Phase 2 (Current) Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6
1st Written Warning $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 Board Authority
2nd Written Violation $100 $200 $400 $600 $800 Board Authority
3rd Written Violation $200 $400 $800 $1,200 $1,600 Board Authority
4th Written Violation $300 $600 $1,200 $1,800 $2,400 Board Authority
5th Written Violation Flow Restriction Flow Restriction Flow Restriction Flow Restriction Flow Restriction Board Authority

Emergency Water Conservation Plan Ordinance

The Emergency Water Conservation Plan Ordinance was created to discourage water waste throughout the City. Phase I of this plan contains detailed instructions on the various prohibited water uses. With each continuing Phase, the water use restrictions become more stringent as our amount of water becomes more stressed as a result of increasing drought conditions.

Emergency Water Conservation Plan Ordinance (effective May 3, 2016)

Variance or Hardship Request

If, for special circumstances, a specific requirement of the Emergency Water Conservation Plan Ordinance would cause undue hardship to a customer’s water use, the customer may apply for a temporary variance from the requirements. Unique circumstances include, but are not limited to, physical disabilities which prevent compliance with the Emergency Water Conservation Plan. To learn more or to apply for a variance, click below.

Variance Application Process, Variance Application, Hardship Justification Form

Alternative Means of Compliance

With written notice to the LADWP, Large Landscape Areas and Sports Fields may change their watering schedule from the non-watering days by meeting certain requirements. Customers must still reduce their overall monthly water use by the adopted degree of shortage, plus an additional five percent from the Customer Baseline Water Usage. Click below to learn more

Alternative Means of Compliance Application Process

High Efficiency Plumbing Fixture Ordinance

Effective December 1, 2009, this Ordinance requires water-using fixtures, such as cooling towers, toilets, showerheads, urinals, faucets, and dishwashers, meet new water efficiency requirements when newly installed, replaced or retrofitted. This Ordinance applies to both the construction of new buildings and the retrofit or renovation of existing buildings in the City of Los Angeles.

High Efficiency Plumbing Fixture Ordinance

Citywide Water Efficiency Standards Ordinance

Effective June 6, 2016, the Citywide Water Efficiency Standards Ordinance includes amendments to the Los Angeles Municipal Code’s Building Regulations aimed at reducing the use of potable water through Los Angeles Green Building Code and Los Angeles Plumbing Code mandatory indoor and outdoor measures.

These mandatory measures establish citywide water efficiency standards and require water-saving systems and technologies in buildings and landscapes to conserve and reduce water usage.

This Ordinance applies to both the construction of new buildings and the addition or alternation of existing buildings in the City of Los Angeles and ensures compliance with local and state mandates, such as the California Department of Water Resources Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance.

Retrofit on Resale Ordinance

All residential and non-residential real property sold in Los Angeles must comply with Los Angeles Municipal Ordinance No. 172075, which requires property owners to upgrade their indoor water using devices to water efficient models prior to the close of escrow.

Retrofit on Resale Ordinance, Certificate of Compliance

Fact Sheet

Residential and Commercial Water Conservation Programs and Rebates