Sacramento's watering schedule changes Nov. 1: Here's what you need to know

Starting November 1, 2026, the City of Sacramento’s fall and winter watering schedule takes effect, reducing outdoor sprinkler use to just one day per week through February 28, 2027.

As autumn temperatures cool and seasonal rain returns to the region, local officials are asking property owners to give their automatic irrigation systems a rest. Under the updated mandate, residents and businesses can run their outdoor sprinklers only once a week, choosing either Saturday or Sunday at any time of day. Weekday sprinkler irrigation is strictly prohibited while the winter schedule runs.

William Granger, the City’s water conservation manager, explained the reasoning behind the seasonal shift in an official announcement published on sacramentocityexpress.com.

“During the cooler fall and winter months, lawns and plants typically need less water to stay healthy,” Granger said. “Shorter days, lower temperatures and seasonal rainfall mean landscapes can often thrive with little or no supplemental watering.”

The city’s utilities department notes that cutting back on outdoor watering serves multiple purposes beyond basic resource management. It helps prevent unnecessary urban runoff from entering local storm drains and can lead to lower utility bills for households and commercial properties alike.

What Property Owners Need to Do

Managing the transition requires a few simple adjustments before the November 1 deadline hits. City officials recommend keeping three core guidelines in mind:

Pick a weekend day: Sprinkler watering is permitted exclusively on Saturday or Sunday, but never on both days.
Adjust your sprinkler timer: Homeowners and facility managers must manually update their automatic irrigation controllers to reflect the restricted schedule.
Let the rain do the work: If regional storms provide adequate moisture, shutting off the system entirely is encouraged.

The seasonal restrictions will remain active for nearly four months, lifting on March 1, 2027, when warmer spring weather typically prompts a return to more frequent watering allowances.