Irvine watering schedule 2026

Exceptions to the Irvine rules

• Gutter flooding ban applies only where the escape of water "can reasonably be prevented" (Rules and Regulations 15.4.1(1)).
• Washing hard or paved surfaces is prohibited "except when necessary to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards" (15.4.1(3)).
• Potable water in a fountain or decorative feature is prohibited "except where the water is recirculated, or recirculation would cause a public health safety or sanitary hazard" (15.4.1(6)).
• Irrigating ornamental turf on public street medians with potable water is barred only "during a declared shortage or pursuant to any regulation adopted by the State Water Resources Control Board" (15.4.1(8)).
• Nonfunctional turf phase-out carve-out: "the use of potable water is not prohibited to the extent necessary to ensure the health of trees and perennial non-turf plants or as necessary to address an immediate health and safety need" (15.4.1(11)).
• General Manager exemption from any permanent prohibition or shortage restriction on a finding that enforcement "would either (1) cause an unnecessary and undue hardship to the applicant or the public, or (2) would cause or threaten an emergency condition affecting the health, sanitation, fire protection, or safety of the applicant or the public" (15.3.1). The General Manager can require the use of any water conservation devices or practices as a condition of the exemption permit (15.3.2).
• Water budget variances under Rules Section 12.7, "Variance from Residential Rate Structure Budgets; Nonresidential Acreage and Base Index Revisions", with 12.7.1 Residential Variance - Procedure and 12.7.2 Residential Variance - Determination. The grounds listed in 12.7.2(1) are number of people residing in a dwelling unit, medical needs, licensed care facilities, fire control zones (or other regulatory requirements), landscape area, livestock and horses, common area washing machines, and other as determined case by case. Applications go through IRWD's Request a Water Variance form. Categories and thresholds printed there: Additional Household Members (detached home with more than 4 permanent residents; condo attached or detached with more than 3; apartment with more than 2), Additional Landscape Area (detached home more than 1,300 square feet; condo attached or detached more than 435 square feet, with landscape drawings showing irrigated square footage and hardscape excluded), Medical Needs (doctor's note stating the condition requires additional water usage), Licensed Care Facility operating in a residential dwelling (copy of the business license), Livestock or Horses (list of the type and quantity, with a possible site visit), and Other Reasons by calling Customer Service at 949-453-5300.
• Homeowner association protection carried in the 2025 WSCP: "Common interest associations shall not fine or assess owners of separate interests for reducing or eliminating the watering of vegetation or lawns unless the association uses only recycled water for irrigation of the association's common areas and recycled water is also available at the irrigated area of the separate interest."
• No drip, hand watering, new planting, edible garden, potted plant, hot day or smart controller exception is printed by IRWD, because there is no watering day limit or watering hour limit that would need one. The only outdoor timing prohibition is the rain rule in 15.4.1(7): "No person shall apply potable water to outdoor landscapes during and within 48 hours of measurable rainfall."

Fines in Irvine

1. 1Step 1: written preliminary notice of violation describing the violation, with 24 hours to correct the violation or terminate the use (Rules and Regulations 15.6.2(2)).
2. 2Step 2 if not corrected, at the General Manager's election: (a) disconnect service, (b) install flow-restricting devices restricting non-health and safety related water service, or (c) order issued a second preliminary notice (15.6.2(2)(a) to (c)).
3. 3Step 3: service disconnected or restricted is "restored only upon payment of the turn-on and other charges fixed by the Board of Directors" (15.6.2(3)). IRWD publishes no flat first, second and third offense dollar ladder.
4. 4Court penalty, general: "Pursuant to Water Code Section 35424, any violation of these Rules and Regulations is a misdemeanor, the violation of which shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not less than $50.00 nor more than $200.00" (14.1.3).
5. 5Court penalty, conservation program: "Pursuant to Water Code Section 377, any violation of Section 15 is a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than 30 days or by fine of not more than $1,000, and a violator may also be held civilly liable in an amount not to exceed $10,000" (14.1.3).
6. 6During a declared shortage only: once an ordinance or resolution implementing restrictions or mandatory measures under the Water Shortage Contingency Plan is published or posted, "violations thereof shall be misdemeanors punishable by imprisonment in the County Jail for not more than 30 days or by fine of not more than $1,000, or both" (15.6.2(5)).
7. 7Everyday financial consequence is the budget-based tiered rate, not a citation. Residential potable rates effective July 1, 2026 per CCF (1 CCF = 748 gallons): Tier 1 Low Volume, 0 to 40 percent of the monthly budget, $2.18; Tier 2 Base, 41 to 100 percent, $2.92; Tier 3 Inefficient, 101 to 140 percent, $8.03; Tier 4 Wasteful, 141 percent and above, $19.32. Section 6 of the 2025 WSCP calls this "An excess use charge based upon the budget-based rate structure, which is always in effect."

Report water waste

IRWD's Log-a-Leak tool at IRWD.com/logaleak, an online form where the reporter drops a map pin on the broken sprinkler, leak or runoff. IRWD's own article says "Just go to IRWD.com/logaleak and pin the location" and "Once you hit send, IRWD will contact the responsible person to get the problem fixed." It is meant for water waste the reporter spots elsewhere in the neighborhood, including someone else's home, HOA common areas and businesses. For a leak on the reporter's own property the article says there is no need to fill out the form, and directs the customer to contact IRWD instead. Customer Service and the 24-hour line is 949-453-5300; email CustomerService@IRWD.com.