is it true that its against the law to wash your car at your own house?

**blackmagnum06** · 08-26-2008, 07:31 PM

is it against the law to wash your car at your own house?

i have heard this from other people & my gf so i just wanted to make sure

how much is the citation? & why is this happening? lol

**JonW** · 08-26-2008, 07:45 PM

It probably depends on where you live in SoCal. I'm in HB and we don't have any restrictions. LA may have imposed some restrictions though.

**ATL SRT** · 08-26-2008, 07:50 PM

We are in a hardcore drought in GA and there is no washing cars in the driveway. We are allowed to water our lawns 3 nights a week between 12am and 5am. It was so bad last summer they were taking people to jail if they were caught watering or washing cars at home.

**Nessa08RT** · 08-26-2008, 07:56 PM

Originally Posted by ATL SRT

We are in a hardcore drought in GA and there is no washing cars in the driveway. We are allowed to water our lawns 3 nights a week between 12am and 5am. It was so bad last summer they were taking people to jail if they were caught watering or washing cars at home.

Wow!!! I would have been arrested every weekend this summer seen as I wash my car every Saturday..weather permitting of course.

**MOL SRT-8** · 08-26-2008, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by JonW

It probably depends on where you live in SoCal. I'm in HB and we don't have any restrictions. LA may have imposed some restrictions though.

it is not so much the usage of water but the fact of the polluted water going down the storm drain. car dealership in san diego have been fined big money over the last 5 years for not controlling wash bay water from going to the curb and down the drain.

**flossin22s** · 08-26-2008, 08:15 PM

Originally Posted by ATL SRT

We are in a hardcore drought in GA and there is no washing cars in the driveway. We are allowed to water our lawns 3 nights a week between 12am and 5am. It was so bad last summer they were taking people to jail if they were caught watering or washing cars at home.

same here, my uncles neighbor got a fine though i so not i know how much it was

**CoolVanilla** · 08-26-2008, 08:25 PM

Originally Posted by MOL SRT-8

it is not so much the usage of water but the fact of the polluted water going down the storm drain. car dealership in san diego have been fined big money over the last 5 years for not controlling wash bay water from going to the curb and down the drain.

Correct, although both reasons can lead to a ban on at-home carwashing.

Lots and lots of counties/cities in California have permanent laws on their books that make it illegal. Technically speaking, those charity washes you see every weekend? Their illegal too

There is one exception... if its an environmental based rule, you ARE allowed (in all cases I'm aware of) to wash your car on your lawn. The water is filtered thru your grass/soil/dirt and does not end up down the storm drain, which is what the law is designed (and usually worded) to prevent/make illegal.

**ZMagnum** · 08-26-2008, 08:26 PM

Car wash soap is not very hazardous. Give me a break. You can wash your car on your lawn and the grass doesn't die.

I've also heard on these forums that in CA it's illegal to back your car out of your driveway onto a city roadway. Which means you have to back into your driveway every night. Isn't backing up on a city roadway also illegal? Especially if you are on the wrong side of the road?

Oh, and here in Tucson (probably other places too) it's illegal to block your own driveway with your own car.

Too many laws folks.

**CoolVanilla** · 08-26-2008, 08:34 PM

Here's a good writeup on the history: http://ezinearticles.com/?California...l-Law&id=41523

Check out the state law itself:
"No person, or persons may discharge water to any waterways without permission or a permit from a state regional water quality control board."

Yup. Can't pour out your triple filtered bottled water without going to jail. Gotta love this state.

**ZMagnum** · 08-26-2008, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by CoolVanilla

Here's a good writeup on what exactly is illegal and not: http://ezinearticles.com/?California...l-Law&id=41523

Check out the state law itself:
"No person, or persons may discharge water to any waterways without permission or a permit from a state regional water quality control board."

Yup. Can't pour out your triple filtered bottled water without going to jail. Gotta love this state.

I was going to mention that. You can't even put pure water into a waterway or wash. The reasoning is that even though rain falls into the wash the water you put in the wash does not naturally belong there.

**CoolVanilla** · 08-26-2008, 08:41 PM

Originally Posted by ZMagnum

I was going to mention that. You can't even put pure water into a waterway or wash. The reasoning is that even though rain falls into the wash the water you put in the wash does not naturally belong there.

Yeah it can get rediculous.

I'm not totally against this *concept* though; we really don't want whatever going down the drains untreated. Its the implementation of that concept that is sorely lacking... not that I have any idears on how to make it better though.

**lowriderman3** · 08-26-2008, 09:15 PM

We are down south in GA, and we have certain times we can use outside water for whatever reasons. Never been caught yet though. LOL

**MikeEast** · 08-26-2008, 10:24 PM

My water bill is $12 every month, the minimum - but that includes washing the Magnum at least once or twice during that bulling period.

Behind the house is only cows and I'll run water if I want to - I don't use that much.

JG - come on up some time and we'll detail your ride!

Mike

**Darthvader** · 08-26-2008, 10:30 PM

Are girls in Bikini's illegal at the car washes in CA as well?

**HEMISFEAR** · 08-26-2008, 11:14 PM

Sounds like neo-fascism at it's worst. Oh well, here in Canada, they're making us use those cr*&py lightbulbs sooner or later....just a matter of time.