San Bernardino watering schedule 2026

Exceptions to the San Bernardino rules

• Hand watering with a hose fitted with an automatic shut-off nozzle is exempt from the 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ban (Rule 27, Section 3.3A(1)).
• The General Manager can grant exemptions on written request when the standards would cause an undue hardship or an emergency affecting health, sanitation, fire protection or safety, and can attach conditions (Rule 27, Section 2.0).
• Uses necessary for public health and safety or essential government services are outside the standards (Rule 27, Section 2.0).
• Rain: no irrigation for a full 48 hours after more than 1/8 inch of rain as measured by the Department over the City, which posts a website notice while the restriction is in place (Water Use Efficiency Standards page; Rule 27, Section 3.3A(4)).
• No watering of outdoor landscapes in a manner that causes excessive runoff; water flowing onto an adjacent property counts as runoff (page; Rule 27, Section 3.1A(6)).
• No washing down driveways, sidewalks or other hardscapes (page). Rule 27 allows it only with an automatic shut-off nozzle or high-pressure wash equipment (Sections 3.1A(7) and 3.2A(5)).
• Vehicles may be washed only with an automatic shut-off nozzle or at a commercial car wash (page; Rule 27, Section 3.2A(4)).
• Fountains using potable water must recirculate it (page; Rule 27, Section 3.1A(8)).
• Leaks must be corrected within 72 hours of Department notification (page); Rule 27, Section 3.3A(3) says within three business days.

Fines in San Bernardino

1. 1Step 1, first violation: a warning letter that describes the water waste and gives seven calendar days to fix it (Rule and Regulation No. 27, Section 4.1).
2. 2Step 2, second violation: the Department can visit or call, and a second Notice of Violation letter can be issued with seven calendar days to fix it (Section 4.2).
3. 3Step 3, third violation: a third Notice of Violation letter, and a $100 penalty can be assessed (Section 4.3).
4. 4Step 4, later violations: additional penalties can be assessed, rising by $100 per occurrence up to a limit of $500 per incident, with a separate notice each time (Section 4.4).
5. 5The General Manager can also speed up the maximum penalties or restrict or shut off water service, depending on how severe the waste is (Section 4.5). Penalties are added to the water bill or placed as a lien on the property (Section 6.0).
6. 6A written hearing request must reach the Department within ten calendar days of the notice, and the General Manager's decision can be appealed to the Water Board within seven calendar days (Section 7.0).

Report water waste

Call SBMWD Water Conservation at (909) 453-6053 (Conservation page). The main line for water emergencies is (909) 384-5141.