Here on the Monterey Peninsula we take water conservation very seriously, as we have a limited supply. We take it so seriously that we have a governing authority, the Monterey Peninsula Water Management District (MPWMD), who’s sole job is to protect our water supply in Monterey County. Cities which fall under these water rules and regulations are: Carmel-by-the-Sea, Del Rey Oaks, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Seaside, Sand City, Monterey Peninsula Airport District, and portions of unincorporated Monterey County including Pebble Beach, Carmel Highlands, and Carmel Valley. As a home owner you must obtain a permit from the MPWMD before water fixtures can be added to any property. When you purchase an already built home, the property comes with a finite number of water credits that are actually recorded with the deed of the property.
Water credits, what’s that you say? A “water credit” refers to a fixture value, for example, a washbasin (fixture) equals 1.0 water credits, and a toilet (1.2 gal/flush) equals 1.7 water credits. In addition to water credits, we also have “water use credits” which are time limited, and are documented when water fixtures are removed from residential properties, or when there is a permanent abandonment of use, which occurs when a building is demolished. For more info click here. Why is this important to know? Well, as a homebuyer you’re going to want to know what the water credit number is for a potential home you are considering to purchase. The number of water credits available limits what you can do with the property, when it comes to adding a bathroom, sink or anything that uses water. If you’re looking at a home that only has 2 bathrooms, and you really want at least 2.5 baths, unfortunately it might not be as easy as just installing a powder room. If there’s not enough water credits already recorded for that home, then you’re most likely out of luck.
With each home sale, the MPWMD inspects the home and records each water using fixture and its assigned credit amount. As a buyer, you will get a copy of this during the escrow period as part of your due diligence. Here’s an example of the inspection report:

(for a complete list of fixtures and their values, click here). You might look at the report and think, well what about that fancy shower system I want to add to my master bath, which requires an extra fixture, do I have to give up on that dream? Don’t fret quite yet because the good news is that you can “move” these credits around in your home by changing their uses. For example, maybe there is a bidet currently in your master bath, and you’re not too keen on bidets, well the value for a bidet is 2 credits, and an additional shower head fixture is 1.5 credits. It’s possible to switch out the bidet for that fancy shower system you’ve been coveting. Another option would be to switch out existing fixtures for newer, higher efficient ones, which have lesser values. This change would free up some credits for you to use at your discretion. Check out the MPWMD water calculations form.
If neither of these options work for you then you could be out of luck, and stuck with the one shower head, or say good bye to that extra half bath. If the thought of this is causing you some stress don’t get discouraged, there are a few additional options you might be lucky enough to take advantage of:
- If you’re looking at a property in Pebble Beach and there just isn’t enough water credits there for you to construct that fabulous remodel you want to do, you can actually purchase water credits directly from the Pebble Beach Company.
- If your building or remodeling in Pacific Grove you can buy water credits from the City of Pacific Grove. Water credits will be available of a first come first serve bases. You need to get on the list and have an installed water meter on site.
- Lastly and this option doesn’t really work for everyone. A while back the MPWMD acknowledged that in today’s world it is reasonable for any house to have at least 2 bathrooms. Thus Ordinance 98 was born, which will allow you to add a second bath to a one bath home even if that one bath home is deficient in water credits. Of course there are some restrictions; yes, you get that second bath for free, but that doesn’t mean you can also then add a half bath as well, also the one bath home can’t be new, it has to have been an existing dwelling, as in, you can’t build a one bath home today and then add a second one in a couple of years. For more info click on the link above.
Unfortunately at this time, you’re not allowed to buy or transfer water credits anywhere else on the peninsula. What I’ve detailed above is the extent of how to maneuver around the complicated water credit system. If you have any further questions or need more clarification, please don’t hesitate to contact me, 831-238-7449 or nicoletr@me.com. And please don’t let this deter you from buying on our beautiful peninsula, instead be sure to work with an experienced local realtor who knows the intricate details of this complex process and can guide you along the way.
Do you know approximately what the Pebble Beach company charges per each new water credit?
Andy I am not sure what Pebble Beach company charges for water credits. Call then direct at 831-647-7500 and I am sure they can provide detail info on cost.
Hello Nichole:
Do you know of any possibility of water availability to the Carmel Highlands area for those of us who own vacant lots and want to build private homes in the near future?
If so what are the proposed time lines? 2018,2019, etc
Any information would be appreciated.
Curious minds.
Thank you in advance.
Unfortunately I do not know when extra water will be available in Carmel Highlands. Most likely when the decel plant is operational in Marina.
Hi Nicole,
How can I find out how many water credits a home in Seaside has that we’re thinking of buying?
Tracie
Just call the Monterey Water Management district at 831-658-5601 and ask for a copy of the water inspection report. Anyone can request! Let me know if you need help making an offer on a home.
Is Carmel highlands part of the Carmel watershed area? Specifically two miles south of pt lobos?
Hello,
Piggy backing off the question from above regarding the carmel highlands area. Are you saying that water credits are no longer available from Mal Paso or any of the water options for carmel highlands until the desal plant is built?
Hi Nicole, I would like to purchase a vacant lot in Carmel Valley, near Quail Lodge, but the lot lacks credits. Is it still possible to purchase water credits from Malpaso?
Hello Nicole:
Thanks for the article on navigating Water Credits. It was most useful.
I plan to purchase a home in Carmel Valley. The property comes with 13 extra Water Credits not currently used. These credits were puchase by the owner years a go for $32,000. We would not buy this home if we can not build a pool. Questions:
1) For an 20×40 pool I calculated 8 water Credits. Did I do correctly?
2) The Property is in Zip Cose 93924-9610 .Your article refers to Zip Code 93921 as eligible for purchasing water credits under Malpaso. Am I out of luck in the event I wanted to purchase further water credits?
Thanks for your help
Carlos
Carmel Valley is not part of the Malpaso water district. I am not sure if 8 water credits will cover a swimming pool, I would check with the MPWMD. All water credits are sold out for Malpaso, you are out of luck 🙁
Unfortunately all water credits are sold out.
Ramon
No water credits available for purchase in Carmel Highlands area.
Carmel Highlands in not part of the Carmel watershed.
I own a lot in Seaside with no water, am I able to obtain Water Credits to build on it?