2 Days a Week Lawn Watering Schedule Now in Effect for San Diego Residents

City of San Diego residents can now water their lawns only two days a week after 6 p.m. and before 10 a.m. for no more than 5 minutes per day under new water restrictions that took effect June 1.

In May, the State Water Resources Control Board imposed mandatory water-savings targets for the hundreds of local agencies and cities that supply water to California customers.

Because local agencies must save between 12 and 36 percent, new rules have gone in effect for the summer months.

In San Diego, the water schedule is as follows: Sunday and Thursday for homes with addresses ending in an odd number, Saturday and Wednesday for homes with addresses ending in an even number, Monday and Friday for apartments, condos and businesses.

Time-of-day and time-limits do not apply to those property owners who have installed landscape irrigation systems using water-efficient devices, including drip and micro-irrigation systems and stream rotor sprinklers.

San Diego is not alone. In Oceanside, the schedule for lawn watering is Tuesday and Saturday for single family homes. Apartments, condos, businesses and public agencies may water Mondays and Thursdays.

Helix Water District issued restrictions to its customers beginning May 25 and has released information on penalties for those customers who don't conserve.

See a list of all water agencies in San Diego County and look up their specific rules here.

Mayors across San Diego County gathered in El Cajon Monday to discuss water conservation and urge residents to start stepping up their water conservation habits.

San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer was joined by El Cajon Mayor Bill Wells, Escondido Mayor Sam Abed, Imperial Beach Mayor Serge Dedina, Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Sessom and Poway Mayor Steve Vaus.

John Bolthouse, Executive Director of The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon said it’s time to change the way we use water when it comes to maintaining yards.

Depending on the size of the yard, Bolthouse said 5 minutes should be enough time to water.

There are water-wise gardens at the center showing how homeowners can make their property still look good without a grass lawn.

Other restrictions in effect include:

  • No watering of lawns when it’s raining or 48 hours after it has rained
  • No washing of between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. (Boats and boat engines are permitted to be washed down after use)
  • No washing down sidewalks, driveways or patios with a running hose
Contact Us