Sacramento Watering Rules: Setting a Sprinkler Schedule That Works

Quick answer

In the City of Sacramento, sprinklers may run two assigned days a week from March 1 through October 31 (Wednesday and Sunday for even addresses, Tuesday and Saturday for odd), before 10 a.m. or after 7 p.m., and one weekend day a week from November through February. Drip, hand watering with a shut-off nozzle and new landscapes have exemptions. Other providers, like Roseville, set different rules.

Last updated October 22, 2026

Sacramento-area homeowners water on a schedule. Each water provider sets its own rules about which days and hours sprinklers can run, and those rules change with the season. Following them avoids fines, but it also forces a smarter way of watering: fewer, deeper sessions instead of a quick daily sprinkle. This guide covers the rules for the City of Sacramento and some neighbors, then explains how to set up a timer that keeps plants healthy within them.

First, who is your water provider?

The region is a patchwork. The City of Sacramento serves most city addresses, but parts of the metro are served by the Sacramento County Water Agency, the Elk Grove Water District, the Citrus Heights Water District, Roseville's city utility, and many others. Your provider is on your water bill, and the regional Be Water Smart site has an address lookup for watering guidelines. Rules below are as published by each provider when this guide was written; always check the current version.

City of Sacramento rules

Spring and summer: March 1 to October 31

Even-numbered addresses: Wednesday and Sunday.
Odd-numbered addresses: Tuesday and Saturday.
Sprinklers must run before 10 a.m. and/or after 7 p.m.
No watering for 48 hours after one-eighth inch of rain.

Fall and winter: November 1 to February 28

One day a week, on Saturday or Sunday, at any time of day.
No weekday sprinkler watering.

Exemptions

The city lists several exemptions to its schedule: drip irrigation or soaker hoses, watering with a hose and spray nozzle, smart controllers validated by city staff, potted plants, edible gardens, new landscaping for up to 30 days after installation, and periods of two or more consecutive days above 100 degrees. You can also request a variance from the city's water conservation office.

Always prohibited

Wasting water is never allowed, including runoff onto sidewalks or gutters and ponding. Fines escalate with repeat violations within a year, starting with a written notice.

Roseville

Roseville publishes a seasonal watering schedule with no outdoor landscape watering between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. For residential customers, the posted schedule is Monday and Friday in March, April, September and October; Monday, Wednesday and Friday from May through August; and Monday only from November through February. Drip irrigation is exempt from watering day restrictions.

Elk Grove Water District

The Elk Grove Water District, which serves part of Elk Grove, encourages limiting landscape irrigation to no more than three days a week and discourages irrigating between noon and 6 p.m. from May through October. Under state law, its restrictions page also notes that using drinking water on nonfunctional ornamental turf at commercial, industrial and institutional properties is prohibited. That rule doesn't apply to single-family home lawns.

Other providers

Citrus Heights, Folsom, Davis, the Sacramento County Water Agency and other providers each set their own rules and may tighten them in a drought. Check your provider's website before programming your controller each season.

Why deep, infrequent watering works

With only one or two watering days, each session has to refill the root zone. That suits plants well: deep watering encourages deeper roots, which handle heat better than shallow roots kept wet at the surface. The challenge is soil. Clay absorbs water slowly, so a long run time sends water down the sidewalk, which is prohibited. The fix is cycle and soak.

How to set up cycle and soak

Find how long until runoff. Run a lawn zone and time how long until water starts running off or puddling. On clay that might be only a few minutes.
Split the total run time. If a zone needs a longer run to soak the root zone, divide it into two or three short cycles separated by an hour or so, all within your allowed hours.
Use multiple start times, not multiple days. Most controllers let one program start several times in a morning.
Check depth. A day after watering, push a screwdriver or soil probe into the lawn. It should slide in easily several inches deep.

Adjust by season

March and April: Lawns need much less water than in July. Start with short run times and increase as it warms.
May through August: Peak demand. Watch for dry spots and adjust heads before adding minutes.
September and October: Days shorten and demand drops. Cut run times.
November through February: Rain often covers needs. Many established landscapes can go with the controller off, and the Citrus Heights Water District notes that most common landscaping will survive winter with irrigation shut off.

Upgrade the system

Convert beds to drip. Drip is exempt from the day schedule in the City of Sacramento and Roseville, and it uses less water.
Install efficient lawn nozzles that apply water more slowly and evenly.
Add a smart controller that adjusts to weather. EPA's WaterSense label identifies controllers that meet efficiency criteria, and the City of Sacramento exempts smart controllers validated by its staff from the schedule.
Fix leaks and broken heads. Many providers offer free water-wise house calls to check a system.

Watering new plants and sod

New plants and sod need more frequent water at first. The City of Sacramento allows new landscaping to be watered for up to 30 days after installation, and drip and hand watering are exempt. After that, shift to the regular schedule. Other providers have similar exceptions; confirm yours before planting.

Don't forget the trees

Lawn sprinklers rarely water trees deeply enough, and trees in converted yards can lose their water entirely. Give trees their own drip or soaker ring, spread out under the canopy, and water deeply and slowly during dry months.

Related: irrigation and sprinkler systems, lawn care and drainage. Need help with your system? Request an irrigation company.

Frequently asked questions

What happens if I water on the wrong day in Sacramento?

In the City of Sacramento, a first violation brings a written notice with no fine. Repeat violations within a year bring escalating fines, and the city says the second-notice fine can be waived by participating in a water conservation program.

Can I hand water any day?

In the City of Sacramento, watering with a hose and spray nozzle is exempt from the day schedule. Runoff is still prohibited. Check your provider's rules if you're served by someone else.

Should I turn my sprinklers off in winter?

Often, yes, or at least cut them back sharply. Winter rain usually covers most landscape needs. The City of Sacramento allows only one weekend day a week from November through February and no watering for 48 hours after measurable rain.

Sources and further reading

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