10.23.2023

Today’s Forecast

52º | Partly cloudy | 7% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:23 a.m. | Sunset 5:01 p.m.

The grass shouldn’t always be greener

Guide to seasonal watering rules in Sacramento

A patch of green grass in a soccer field

Many of the restrictions center on grass and sprinkler use. | Photo by SACtoday Staff

Starting Wednesday, Nov. 1, the City of Sacramento will change how often it permits residents and businesses to water their landscapes.

But no need to sweat — we’re providing a breakdown of the city’s watering rules, highlighting a few exceptions to them, and sharing local resources to consider if you’re feeling tired of turf and traditional sprinklers.

💧 When to water

Following a water conservation ordinance that was passed by City Council in 2017, Sacramento residents and businesses must biannually adjust how often they irrigate their landscapes with sprinklers.

Here’s how the changes shake out:

From Nov. 1-Feb. 28 of each year, landscapes can be watered once per week at anytime on Saturday or Sunday. However, watering during the week is prohibited.
From March 1-Oct. 31 of each year, watering is allowed two days per week. Which days of the week you can water is determined by your address.

Additionally, if at any time one-eighth of an inch of rain has fallen, watering is not permitted for 48 hours.

🥬 Exceptions to the rule

The conservation ordinance primarily restricts watering grass and the use of sprinklers. You are exempt from the ordinance if you:

Use drip irrigation
Use a hose and spray nozzle
Have a city-approved smart controller
Have an edible garden
Have potted plants

You are also exempt from the watering rules up to 30 days after you install new landscaping, or when there are more than two days in a row above 100°.

📚 Resources to consider

If you are wanting to replace your sprinkler system with drip irrigation, or if you would like to replace your lawn with water-wise plants, the city offers a robust rebate program. You can even receive assistance with landscape design.

If you’d like to learn more about drought-tolerant landscaping, also known as xeriscaping, check out our guide.

Events

Monday, Oct. 23

Mountain Bike Monday | Monday, Oct. 23 | 4:30-8 p.m. | Deer Creek Hills Nature Preserve, Latrobe + Deer Creek Hills Access roads, Sloughhouse | $10 | Explore Deer Creek Hills Preserve on your mountain bike with self-guided trails open exclusively to riders.
Noah Vonne and Bluphoria | Monday, Oct. 23 | 6:30 p.m. | Harlow’s, 2708 J St., Sacramento | $13-$15 | The Texas-based indie singer stops by the City of Trees.

Tuesday, Oct. 24

Paint & Sip | Tuesday, Oct. 24 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Logan’s Roadhouse, 3698 N. Freeway Blvd., Sacramento | $30 | Craft your masterpiece and enjoy a specially-curated menu of food to choose from.
Palm Street Trivia Night | Tuesday, Oct. 24 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Palm Street Pub & Grill, 6416 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael | Free | Test your knowledge in four rounds of trivia for the chance to take home a prize.

Wednesday, Oct. 25

Immigrant Stories | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Sacramento State, 6000 J St., Sacramento | Free | Five storytellers share their experiences navigating life as an immigrant in Sacramento.
Barnflix: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” | Wednesday, Oct. 25 | 7-9 p.m. | Drakes: The Barn, 985 Riverfront St., West Sacramento | $17-$28 | Let’s do the Time Warp again at this screening of the cult classic film, 18+ only.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Plan Ahead

Feel that chill in the air? The Downtown Sacramento Ice Rink returns to Ali Youssefi Square at K and Seventh streets on Wednesday, Nov. 8. More than 10 special events are planned for this season, which runs through Jan. 15, 2024.

Sports

TKTKTK Republic FC playoff score from Saturday night

Arts

Turn your creativity into cash — Sacramento Poet Laureate Andru Defeye is holding a contest for Sacramento Poetry Day (Thursday, Oct. 26) where kids + adults can enter to win one of five $100 cash prizes for their writing. (Sacramento City Express)

Sacramentan

Nick Kennedy and Ron Root of Citrus Heights have set the California state record for the largest pumpkin. Their gigantic gourd — affectionately named “Pohaku” — weighed in at a ridiculous 2,497 pounds at the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off earlier this month. (CBS 13)

Development

Children’s theme park Fairytale Town is getting a bit of a makeover. A $2.5 million renovation that will include a new Welcome Center has set an estimated completion window of April 2024. Visitors are encouraged to use the express gate entrance until construction is completed. (ABC 10)

Closing

After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last week, two Sacramento area Rite Aid stores are shutting their doors permanently. The locations at 1309 Fulton Ave. + 5409 Sunrise Blvd. are among the 150+ storefronts the pharmacy is closing nationwide. (Sac Biz Journal)

Tech

If you’re parting with $80 to $100 every month for phone services, it’s time for a change. Get unlimited data, talk, and text with Boost Mobile for $12.50 for your first month.*

Try This

🎃 Your pumpkin carving contest finalists

See the winning entry from SACtoday’s 2023 pumpkin carving contest

Oh gourd, a shark! | Photo by Haley W.

You’ve scooped the seeds and made masterpieces out of pumpkins. Now it’s time for us to reveal the finalists for our Pumpkin Carving Contest. Check out the pumpkins below, and don’t forget to vote for your favorite.

A.D.I.D.A.S.

Somebody get this freak on a leash. We’re guessing that — in this instance — A.D.I.D.A.S. stands for “All day I dream of Sacramento.” It’s giving “Da-boom-na, da-oom, na-na-ema.”

Oh gourd, a shark!

We’re in awe of the detailing on this toothy pumpkin. We’re also thankful we don’t have to deal with any sharks swimming in our local waterways. Well, just this one.

Voting closes Wednesday, Oct. 25 — so be sure to vote for the jack-o’-lantern you want to be crowned cream of the carving crop.

Vote here

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Jordan

From the editor

No, your eyes did not deceive you — there’s a new City Editor in town. We’re so stoked to have Madeline join the SACtoday team — and can’t wait for them to show you even more amazing parts of Sacramento.

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