Code Compliance & City Ordinances

404 - Water Conservation Ordinance

The City of Santa Monica 's Water Conservation Ordinance mandates compliance with specific water conservation measures for residential neighborhoods. Enforcement of this ordinance is handled by the Environmental & Public Works Management Department. Violators can be cited and fined. Some of these water conservation measures are:

• No watering of lawns or landscapes between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on any day.
• No hosing down of sidewalks, driveways, patios, alleys, or parking areas.
• Water shall not be used to fill or maintain levels in decorative fountains, ponds, lakes, or displays unless a recycling system is used.
• Swimming pools shall not be filled or emptied unless it is a first filling of a new pool or it can be certified that necessary leak repair work is being performed.
• All water leaks from exterior or interior plumbing must be repaired immediately.
• No washing of vehicles of any kind except with hand-held bucket or hose equipped with a shut-off nozzle.

To report a violation or for more information on the Water Conservation Ordinance, please call (310) 458-8972. After business hours, please call the Pollution Prevention Hotline at (310) 458-8945.