San Jose Muni Water watering schedule 2026

Exceptions to the San Jose Muni Water rules

• The 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. ban does not apply when watering with a bucket, a hand-carried container, a hose equipped with an automatic positive self-closing valve, or a drip irrigation system (15.10.290 A).
• The 15-minute cap does not apply to a continuously attended hose with a self-closing valve, very low-flow drip systems with no emitter above two gallons per hour, irrigation systems with weather-based controllers, or stream rotor sprinklers that meet a 71 percent efficiency standard (15.10.290 B).
• Neither limit applies during plant Establishment Periods, which Section 15.11.390 defines as the first year after installing plants, or the first two years if irrigation will end after establishment, or while a landscape water management audit evaluates and adjusts the system (15.10.290 C). Golf and bowling green syringing is also exempt.
• The limits cover potable water. Reclaimed (recycled) water and graywater are not potable water under Section 15.10.030 B. Where a recycled water system is installed and recycled water is available, potable water may not be used for that irrigation (15.10.295).
• Rain: Valley Water Ordinance 23-02, Section 3.1(c), bans watering outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable daily rainfall of at least 0.25 inches, judged from the closest National Weather Service or Valley Water ALERT station.
• No water use that runs off onto sidewalks, driveways, gutters or streets, or beyond the immediate area of use, or that pools or puddles (15.10.220).
• Start repairing leaking or broken pipes, faucets, sprinklers and irrigation systems within five working days after learning of them, and finish as soon as practical (15.10.210).
• Hoses used to clean buildings, sidewalks, driveways, patios or other hard surfaces, or to wash vehicles, need an automatic positive self-closing valve (15.10.240 and 15.10.250).
• Anyone seeking an exception from a potable water rule in Chapter 15.10 files a written request on a City form, with an exception review fee, showing that no other water source can be used (15.10.380).

San Jose Muni Water fines

1. 1Violations of Section 15.10.290 (landscape irrigation restrictions) carry an administrative citation of $250 for a first violation (Administrative Citation Schedule of Fines, RES2025-403, Section 2).
2. 2Second and each later violation within 12 months of the previous violation: $500 (RES2025-403, Section 2). Runoff (15.10.220), leak repair (15.10.210), hose and vehicle washing rules (15.10.240, 15.10.250) carry the same $250 and $500 amounts.
3. 3Unpaid fines add a 10 percent delinquency penalty and interest under Chapter 1.15 and RES2025-403, Section 5.
4. 4The Municipal Code can also be charged as a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both (Section 1.08.010, as summarized in the 2025 Water Shortage Contingency Plan).
5. 5Valley Water states that it is not issuing fines for water waste while it has no call for mandatory water use reduction; the City's own citations above are separate.

Report water waste

The City's Report Water Waste page sends reports to Valley Water: call (408) 630-2000, submit an online request through Access Valley Water (access.valleywater.org), or use the Access Valley Water mobile app.