CORRECTION: A previous version of this article stated that the city of Ventura is exempt from Gov. Gavin Newsom's emergency order. The article has been updated. (July 12, 2022)

VENTURA, Calif. — Not that he would, but if he wanted to, Jim Ackerman could water his lawn all day and all night — despite California being under emergency drought restrictions.

Unlike most cities in Southern California, Ventura residents are not under a mandatory water restriction. This is because it's one of the few cities of its size that relies on its own water sources. As of now, it does not need to put any restrictions on its residential customers. 

Also, for a small fee, residents can take part in a program that allows them to haul treated, non-potable water to their homes to water their lawns and gardens. There are no restrictions on this water either.