Oxnard watering schedule 2026

Exceptions to the Oxnard rules

• Hand watering of trees, food plants or other perennials with a container such as a bucket or watering can, or with a hose fitted with a shut-off nozzle, is allowed outside the designated days (Stage 1 resolution, Section 5(d)(1)).
• Drip irrigation or other high-efficiency irrigation systems can run outside the designated days if they apply a weekly volume consistent with the three-day limit (Stage 1 resolution, Section 5(d)(2)).
• Testing of, repairs to and replacement of irrigation systems can occur outside the 6 p.m. to 9 a.m. watering hours (Oxnard City Code 22-136(B)(1)).
• The permanent 15 minute cap does not apply to systems that use only high efficiency equipment, very low-flow drip with no emitter above two gallons per hour, or weather based controllers and high-efficiency stream rotors (22-136(B)(3)). The Stage 1 resolution's 10 minute cap prints no such exception.
• Rain: no potable water on landscapes during and within 48 hours after measurable rainfall (Stage 1 resolution, Section 5(f)). The permanent code bans irrigation during rain (22-136(B)(2)).
• No runoff onto sidewalks, driveways, gutters or streets, and no pooling on hard surfaces (22-136(B)(4)).
• No running water from a hose to clean driveways, pavement or other paved surfaces, except for public health and safety reasons and then only with an automatic shut-off nozzle (22-136(B)(5)).
• Leaks, breaks and malfunctions must be repaired within 72 hours of discovery or of notice from the city (22-136(B)(7)).
• Wash vehicles and boats only at a commercial wash that recycles water, with a bucket and a hose with a self-closing valve, or by a mobile high pressure, low volume service (22-136(B)(8)).
• No potable water for non-functional turf at commercial, industrial and institutional properties, including HOAs, and no potable water in fountains unless the water recirculates (Stage 1 resolution, Section 5(e) and 5(g)).

Fines in Oxnard

1. 1First violation: a written warning to the person or entity on the water service record (Oxnard City Code 22-138(A)).
2. 2Second violation within 12 months: a written notice to correct the violation (22-138(B)).
3. 3Third violation within 12 months: an administrative citation and a $100 fine (22-138(C)).
4. 4Fourth violation within 12 months: an administrative citation and a $300 fine (22-138(D)).
5. 5Fifth violation within 12 months: an administrative citation and a $700 fine (22-138(E)).
6. 6Sixth violation within 12 months: after written notice, the city can install a flow-restricting device of one gallon per minute at the customer's expense, for at least 48 hours; after that the city can discontinue water service (22-138(F)).
7. 7The city attorney can instead prosecute a violation as a criminal citation under Section 1-10, a general misdemeanor punishable by a fine of $1,000 or six months in jail, or both (22-138; 1-10(A)). Section 22-153 also lets the city prosecute violations of the Stage 1 measures under Section 1-10.
8. 8A fine can be challenged by filing a written hearing request within 30 days of the notice (22-140).

Report water waste

Use the city's Oxnard 311 app to report a water leak or water waste (Water Use Restrictions page). Water Conservation Hotline: (805) 385-3905. Water Division: (805) 385-8136, water.inquiry@oxnard.org. Water emergency line (24/7): (805) 207-0603.