- Days
- Tue, Thu, Sat
- Hours
- Before 9 a.m. Or After 4 p.m.
- Per Station
- 10 Minutes
- After Rain
- Wait 48 Hours
The Rules
Long Beach Utilities lists these as Level 1 of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan, in effect since August 1, 2023. You may not water during rain or for 48 hours after it, and water may not run onto a neighbor, sidewalk, road, parking lot or structure.
Your Soil Changes The Plan
Ten minutes is a limit and not a goal. On Peninsula sand water falls through quickly, so shorter runs are smarter. On Los Cerritos clay water can run off before 10 minutes is up, so split the run into two short cycles with a soak between them. The neighborhood pages show the soil type mapped at your area.
If You Cannot Keep It Green
A lawn that cannot live on three short watering days is a good Lawn to Garden candidate. Do that while the grass is still alive, since dead lawn can lose you the rebate.
Questions We Hear
Are these rules different for drip?
The Utilities page states the rule for landscape watering in general. If you run drip, check with Long Beach Utilities for your setup.
Could the rules get tighter?
Yes. Long Beach went to two watering days in 2022 during drought. Check the Utilities page before you set a timer for the season.