Outdoor Watering Restrictions in Ventura County

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In February 2009, Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency and immediate actions to address the current water shortage crisis in California. On March 30, 2011, Governor Brown proclaimed an end to the state's drought, but urges continued conservation.

The City of Los Angeles has mandatory water conservations requirements for all LADWP customers as revised August 2010:

  • Odd numbered street addresses may water on Mon/Wed/Fri
  • Even numbered street addresses may water on Tues/Thurs/Sun
  • Outdoor watering not allowed between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
  • Sprinklers can be used for 8 minutes maximum per station, but if you have water-conserving nozzles, you're allowed 2 15 minute cycles each watering day
  • No watering driveways, sidewalks and other hard surfaces
  • No excessive runoff or leaks
  • No washing vehicles without a hose shutoff valve
  • No serving water in restaurants unless requested

Simi Valley watering restrictions since July 2009 were rescinded on May 9, 2011 (www.simivalley.org/index.aspx?page=500). The previous restrictions in place that are still advised however:

  • Outdoor watering/irrigation between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. prohibited, except you can use buckets and hoses with shut-off valves
  • Cannot water more than 45 minutes per station per week from April 1 to October 31
  • Cannot water more than 30 minutes per station per week from Nov 1 to March 31
  • Water no more than 15 minutes per watering day per station
  • No excessive runoff or watering down of hard surfaces
  • Must use buckets, hoses with shutoff valves for washing cars
  • Drinking water served only on request
  • Hotels must allow guest to decline daily linen services

Thousand Oaks passed the same water conservation restrictions as described above for Simi Valley effective June 2009 and more recently placed 3 day per week watering restrictions in effect, effective 8/1/09. The City has a Water Conservation Hotline at 805.375.5747 to report sightings of excessive water use. (In a nutshell, 2 days/week watering of no more than 15 minutes per station from November through March and 3 days/week from April through October.)

Areas covered by the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District (Agoura, Westlake Village, Malibou Lake, Calabasas, etc.) have had the following mandatory measures since 3/4/09: 1) no watering between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.; 2) no watering when it is raining or within 24 hours following at least 1 inch of rainfall; 3) no excessive runoff or watering of hard surfaces; 4) water served only on request in restaurants; 5) linen service must be made optional at hotels.  Click here for more information. To report violations call 818.251.2180.

Effective 7/22/09, the City of Camarillo Ordinance No. 1039 put into place Level 1 restrictions that allows watering up to 15 minutes per irrigation station on Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun only between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. for up to 4 days per week (as opposed to 3 days in Simi/Thousand Oaks). Violators face penalties of $100 for 2 violations in a 12 month period, $500 for 3 violations and $1000 and installation of flow restriction devices for 4 or more violations in a 12 month period. See flyer at www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/docs/Conservation%20Ordinance%20Flyer.pdf.

Effective 7/23/09 (as amended), the City of Oxnard Ordinance No. 2810 restricts watering between 9 am and 4 pm for no more than 15 minutes.  However, there is no indicated limit on the number of days per week allowed. No watering is allowed when it is raining outside. Other restrictions apply too, like drinking water upon request only in restaurants. Penalties range from warnings up to $50 for 3rd violation, installation of flow restriction device for 4th violation and discontinued service for 5th violation! Call 805.385.8339 for more info.

The Ventura County Waterworks District coordinates water service to Moorpark, Somis, Piru and Lake Sherwood and has not (as of 9/09) put additional watering restrictions into place as of yet (such as limiting watering to 3 days per week).  However, current regulations dictate 1) use of shutoff nozzles with hoses; 2) no washing of hard surfaces like sidewalks and driveways; 3) water must be served on request only in restaurants; 4) no outdoor irrigation allowed between 9 am and 4 pm.

So get out there and start tweaking those sprinkler controller settings!  Regardess of where you live, START SAVING WATER TODAY!

Visit www.bewaterwise.com for more tips on water conservation.

Also visit the State of California water education website at www.saveourh2o.org!