San Francisco watering schedule 2026

Exceptions to the San Francisco rules

• No drip, hand watering, new planting, edible plant, container pot, hot day, or smart controller exceptions exist, because SFPUC assigns no watering days or hours for general customers and therefore has no schedule to grant exceptions from. Any list of such exceptions attributed to SFPUC is not from SFPUC.
• Hardscape washing (Rule 12(1)(c)): washing sidewalks, driveways, plazas and other outdoor hardscapes with potable water is allowed for reasons of health, safety, or to meet City of San Francisco standards for sidewalk cleanliness. The prohibition applies where it is done for other reasons and in a manner that causes runoff to storm drains and sewer catch basins.
• Construction and demolition use (Rule 12(1)(g)): potable water for backfill consolidation around non-potable piping, soil compaction, or dust control is prohibited only if recycled water, well water, or groundwater are available. SFPUC reviews the fire hydrant meter application and allows temporary supply from fire hydrants if it determines recycled water, well water, or groundwater are not available for the project.
• Drinking water service (Rule 12(1)(h)): eating and drinking establishments may serve drinking water upon request; the prohibition covers serving it unrequested.
• Hose use (Rule 12(1)(b)): hoses are permitted when fitted with a positive shut-off valve.
• Nonfunctional turf ban exemptions (Section F, Rule 17(c)) do not apply to: cemeteries, active use areas of parks, sports fields, and golf courses; single-family properties; areas that are the exclusive use of the occupants of an individual dwelling unit; water used to ensure the health of trees and other perennial non-turf plantings; and areas irrigated with recycled water.
• Section F scope exclusions (Rule 1(b)): registered local, state or federal historical sites where the landscape is maintained as part of the historical integrity of the site; ecological restoration projects that do not require a permanent irrigation system; and plant collections or animal habitat areas that are part of botanical gardens.
• Overhead irrigation timing exception (Section F, Rule 6): the 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. window applies 'unless weather conditions prevent it.'
• Homeowner association protections (Rule 12(2), tracking Civil Code section 4735): an HOA, common interest development, or community service organization is prohibited from enforcing governing documents or landscaping guidelines that are void under Civil Code section 4735(a) and (b); from imposing or threatening a fine, assessment, or other monetary penalty against an owner for reducing or eliminating watering of vegetation or lawns during a declared drought emergency; and from requiring an owner to reverse or remove water-efficient landscaping measures installed in response to a declared drought emergency once the emergency ends.

Fines in San Francisco

1. 1No dollar amount is printed anywhere in SFPUC's rules for outdoor watering or water waste violations. The escalation is described by process only.
2. 2Step 1, notification (Section E, Rule 12(4)): SFPUC notifies customers and other entities it observes or that are publicly reported to be violating a water waste restriction and advises them of corrective action. Notification methods 'may include letter, phone call, and dispatch of an inspector.'
3. 3Step 2, enforcement (Section E, Rule 12(4)): violators 'may be subject to enforcement that could include fines on their water bill, installation of flow restriction devices, injunctions, or other actions as deemed appropriate.' No amount, no first/second/third offense tiering, and no per-day figure is stated.
4. 4Landscape irrigation track, step 1 (Section F, Rule 16(b)): the General Manager may issue a written warning, entered on the user's water service record and delivered by mail, personal service, or other reasonable means, including the violation details, education on the restrictions, available resources, and a deadline for correcting the violation.
5. 5Landscape irrigation track, step 2 (Section F, Rule 16(c)): if violations are not corrected to the General Manager's satisfaction, the property owner and project applicant are subject to enforcement under SFPUC rules for limitation or termination of service, Chapter 100 of the San Francisco Administrative Code covering administrative penalties, and other available remedies, at the sole discretion of the General Manager.
6. 6Rationing charges (Section D, Rule 11): retail paying and nonpaying customers are subject to charges for water resulting from noncompliance with conservation measures imposed under the Commission's rate-setting authority, including 'Excess use charges in the event of mandatory rationing.' No rationing is in effect now, so no such charge applies.
7. 7Nonfunctional turf (Section F, Rule 17(h)): noncompliance with AB 1572 (Water Code section 10608.14) is subject to civil liability and penalties set forth in Section 1846 of the Water Code, plus the Rule 16 water waste enforcement path. SFPUC prints no amount of its own.
8. 8The figure 'up to $1,000 per violation per day' appears in Section G, Rule 14 (Enforcement, Citations, and Fines). Section G governs cross-connection and backflow prevention under San Francisco Health Code Article 12A. That $1,000 figure does not apply to landscape watering or water waste.

Report water waste

San Francisco 311. Section E, Rule 12(4) states that 'The SFPUC directs members of the public to report potential instances of water waste or other violations of this Rule through the City's 311 system. SFPUC staff regularly review and respond to reports submitted.' The Prevent Water Waste page directs residents to sf311.org or to call 3-1-1. The same 3-1-1 number is SFPUC's 24-hour hotline for water, power, or sewer emergencies and service problems.