Santa Ana watering schedule 2026

Exceptions to the Santa Ana rules

• Watering cans, buckets and similar containers, and a hand-held hose with a fully functioning, positive self-closing shut-off nozzle, can be used during the 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. restricted period (39-99(a)).
• A landscape irrigation system can run during the restricted period for very short periods, only to adjust or repair it (39-99(a)).
• Low flow drip, water efficient stream rotor and sensor or weather-controlled systems are exempt from the 15 minutes per valve limit (39-99(n)).
• Rain: no irrigation of outdoor landscapes during or within 48 hours after measurable rainfall (39-99(d)).
• No excessive water flow or runoff from the property onto an adjoining sidewalk, driveway, street, alley, gutter or ditch (39-99(c)).
• No washing down sidewalks, driveways or other hard surfaces, except to alleviate safety or sanitary hazards with a handheld container, a hose with an automatic shut-off device, or a low-volume high-pressure cleaning machine that recycles used water (39-99(b)).
• Vehicles may be washed only with a hand-held bucket or a hand-held hose with a self-closing shut-off nozzle (39-99(e)). Fountains and decorative water features need a recirculating system (39-99(f)).
• Leaks, breaks and other malfunctions must be repaired within 72 hours, unless other arrangements are made with the city (39-99(g)).
• Recycled water and private wells are outside Article VI except Section 39-99, so the permanent requirements still apply to them (39-96(c) and (e)).
• A customer facing undue hardship from a specific requirement, due to unique circumstances, can apply on the city's form for a hardship waiver; the Executive Director of Public Works or a designee decides, and the decision is final (39-103).

Fines in Santa Ana

1. 1First violation: the city issues a written notice of the violation (Municipal Code 39-104(a)). The notice is sent at least ten calendar days before enforcement action (39-105(b)).
2. 2Second violation within one year of the first: a $250 fine (39-104(b)).
3. 3Third and each later violation within one year of the first: a $500 fine per notice (39-104(c)).
4. 4From the third violation, the city may also install a flow restrictor of about one gallon per minute or, subject to applicable law, disconnect service for a willful violation, with the costs billed to the customer (39-104(c)(1) to (3)).
5. 5Each day a violation occurs is a separate offense (39-104(c)(4)). Penalties are enforced by administrative citation and are in addition to penalties elsewhere in the Code (39-104).

Report water waste

Call the City of Santa Ana water hotline at (714) 647-3380, use the mySantaAna app, or email conservewater@santa-ana.org (Water conservation page).