Temperatures are trending upward across Northern California, which may start drying out lawns across the region.
Residents and commercial businesses in the area are subject to certain water-conserving rules when it comes to lawns, which become more lenient in the spring and summer months. In the city of Sacramento, spring and summer watering rules took effect March 1.
Individual municipal water districts set rules for their areas, so the most up-to-date information on sprinkler policies can be found on their respective websites.
Here’s what to know about watering grass as temperatures soar.
Many utility customers across the capital region are under restrictions regarding water-usage all year, but certain water-saving measures are exempt from watering day rules. Randall Benton Sacramento Bee file When can I water my lawn in Sacramento?
During the warmer months, between March 1 and Oct. 31, city of Sacramento residents and businesses may water lawns twice per week, with the schedule dependent on their address.
According to the city’s website, utility customers with even-numbered addresses may water on Wednesday and Sunday, while those with odd-numbered addresses can water on Tuesday and Saturday. Regardless of address, watering is only allowed prior to 10 a.m. and after 7 p.m., and customers may not water lawns within 48 hours after one-eighths inch of rain.
From Nov. 1-Feb. 28, residents and businesses may only water once per week, on weekends.
According to the city of Sacramento, these specific circumstances are exempt from these water rules:
Using drip irrigation or soaker hosesWatering with a hose and spray nozzleSprinklers attached to smart controllers approved by the cityPotted plantsEdible gardensNew landscaping, up to 30 days after installationDuring two or more consecutive days above 100 degrees
Customers who are caught violating these rules can face penalties up to a $500 fine, according to the city’s website.
Unincorporated areas of Sacramento County are under the Sacramento Suburban Water District’s rules.
In April 2025, the water district said the area’s water supply was considered “adequate” following an above-average snowpack and average rainfall in winter 2025. Under adequate water supply rules, customers are recommended to water up to three times per week, based on address.
Odd-numbered addresses are recommended to water lawns on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, while even-numbered addresses are encouraged to only water on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. All water district customers are urged to avoid watering on Mondays.
During the adequate water supply stage and all other water stages, the Sacramento Suburban Water District prohibits customers from watering between noon and 6 p.m.
Water district customers who are caught misusing water can face penalties, including warnings, fines and even service discontinuation, increasing based on the number of violations.
What are Placer County’s watering rules?
The City of Roseville has a different set of guidelines for watering with rules changing more frequently throughout the year.
From March 1-April 30 and Sept. 1-Oct. 31, residential customers may water on Mondays and Fridays, and from May 1-August 31, they may irrigate on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Commercial water customers may water on Mondays and Thursdays during the spring and fall, and in the summer, they are allowed to water Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
In the summer, spring and fall, no irrigation is allowed from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
In the winter, from Nov. 1 to the end of February, all customers may only water on Mondays. Drip irrigation systems are exempt from the watering day rules, according to the city of Roseville website.
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Camila Pedrosa is a service journalism reporter at The Sacramento Bee. She previously worked as a summer reporting intern for The Bee and reported in Phoenix and Washington, D.C. She graduated from Arizona State University with a master’s degree in mass communication.