Watering Restrictions

Outdoor watering is currently restricted to 2 days a week with different watering days assigned to odd-numbered and even-numbered street addresses.

Customers with odd-numbered street addresses – ending in 1, 3, 5, 7 or 9 – are allowed to water on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Customers with even-numbered street addresses – ending in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8 – are allowed to water on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

In addition, there are restrictions on the length of overhead spray watering cycles.

Spray head sprinklers and bubblers shall be limited to no more than ten (10) minutes per watering day per station.
Standard rotors and multi-stream rotary heads shall be limited to no more than fifteen (15) minutes per cycle and up to two (2) cycles per watering day per station.

Other outdoor watering restrictions include:

No watering is allowed outdoors between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., regardless of the watering day.
Hand–held hose watering with a positive quick release shutoff valve or nozzle is allowed every day of the week except for the 9:00am to 5:00pm time period.
Drip irrigation supplying water to a food source is allowed every day except for the 9:00am to 5:00pm time period.
No runoff is allowed onto streets, driveways and gutters from excessive watering.

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Press Release

Contact Us:

(310) 458-8531
water.resources@santamonica.gov

FAQ

Why did the City select Mon and Wed for the odd numbered addresses and Tue and Thu for the even addresses instead of Mon and Thu for odd and Tue and Fri to have fewer days between watering days?

It is easier for our customers to remember that odd numbered addresses water on odd days of the week (Mon, Wed) and even numbered addresses water on even days of the week (Tues, Thur). This would also avoid any confusion with other phases of outdoor watering restrictions (there are four different phases of outdoor watering restriction that could be implemented). See the text of the ordinance for details.

Has the City considered adjusting the allowed watering days?

The City is considering requests to adjust watering days, but additional data is needed to analyze and assess any potential impacts that adjusted watering days may have on the City’s water distribution infrastructure. Every water distribution system has its own unique characteristics such as size and storage capabilities, so it isn’t as easy as just matching up the City’s watering days to our neighbors.

Why do we need to restrict outdoor water use or conserve water if the City has invested in water supply projects to achieve water self-sufficiency by 2023?

Water conservation is a critical element for the City to reduce its reliance on imported water supplies. Water Conservation is Component 1 of the City’s Sustainable Water Master Plan while developing drought resilient and additional local water supplies are Components 2 and 3. In addition, outdoor watering accounts for 50% or more of urban water use in California.

How much water can the City save with the new outdoor watering restriction that limit outdoor watering to 2 days per week?

The City estimates that the new outdoor watering restrictions could reduce total water demand by up to 8% and save roughly 950 acre-feet of water per year, on an annual average basis.

How do I help report water waste?

Please report water waste through the City’s 3-1-1 system. Please include photos and time of day when the water waste event occurred.

Where can I find the full details of the emergency water conservation ordinance?

The ordinance text has been incorporated into SMMC 7.16.020 Water Conservation Requirements.

Can I request a waiver to be exempt from the outdoor watering restrictions?

Yes. You can apply for a waiver through the Hardship clause in SMMC 7.16.020. Refer to section (a)(4)(F) in the text of the ordinance.