What landscape watering schedule is in place in Collier, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, and most of Broward, Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, and the cities within Lee County, except Cape Coral?
A:
Lawn irrigation for all property sizes is allowed TWO days a week, on the following schedule:
Residents and businesses with an ODD numbered street address (ending in 1, 3, 5, 7, 9) - lawn watering is permitted on WEDNESDAYS and SATURDAYS from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Residents and businesses with an with an EVEN numbered street address (ending in (0, 2, 4, 6, 8*), no street address, or who water both even and odd addresses within the same zones, including multi-family units and Homeowner Associations - lawn watering is permitted on THURSDAYS and SUNDAYS from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or from 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
Residents should CHOOSE from ONE of TWO "watering windows" on their designated irrigation days. For the most efficient use of water, residents should AVOID irrigating during both time periods on the same day.
Water your vegetable garden on the same schedule that you use to water grass and other plants in your yard. Vegetable gardens are included in District lawn and landscape irrigation restrictions established for your area.
When can I water newly planted sod, trees or other landscaping in all of Collier, Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, and most of Broward, Glades, Hendry, Martin, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach and St. Lucie counties, and the cities within Lee County, except Cape Coral?
A:
Additional days and times are available for new plantings:
New landscaping can be watered without regard to restrictions on the first day it is installed.
Landscaping that has been in place from 2 days to 30 days can be watered on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and/or Sundays during the hours allowed for regular landscape irrigation.
Landscaping that has been in place from 31 days to 60 days can be watered on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays during the hours allowed for regular landscape irrigation.
Additional watering days can only be used to benefit new landscaping. An entire irrigation system zone may only be watered if it contains at least 50 percent new landscaping.
City of Cape Coral
Q:
What lawn watering schedule is in place for the City of Cape Coral?
A:
Residential and non-residential water users in Cape Coral should follow the schedule in the city's water restriction ordinance. The watering schedule is online.
Unincorporated Lee County
Q:
What lawn watering schedule is in place for unincorporated Lee County?
A:
Private well users and residents of unincorporated areas of Lee County should follow the county’s year-round ordinance that prohibits watering between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. The watering schedule is online.
Exemptions
Q:
Is anyone automatically exempted from water restrictions?
A:
Yes. Because 100 percent of the water used by the Town of Highland Beach in Palm Beach County is drawn from the deep Floridan Aquifer, these customers are exempt from current restrictions. Other communities and individuals may have been granted variances from water restrictions. Anyone with a variance from water restrictions must display a copy of the variance in a visible location.
Q:
Do other restrictions apply to South Florida residents using 100 percent reclaimed or supplemented reclaimed water?
A:
Yes. Irrigation using 100 percent reclaimed or supplemented reclaimed water is allowed from 12 a.m. to 10 a.m. and/or 4 p.m. to 11:59 p.m., any day of the week, except in Cape Coral. Cape Coral residents should refer to details below under Other Communities/Water Districts.
Water reclaimed from water sewage treatment plants is not meant for drinking and is used almost exclusively for irrigation. It is usually transferred through purple pipes.
Other Communities/Water Districts
Q:
What lawn watering schedule is in place in Orange, Charlotte, Highlands and Polk counties?
A:
Several counties are divided by the South Florida Water Management District and another of the state's five water management districts.
Orange County residents within SFWMD boundaries are allowed to irrigate landscapes ONE DAY per week.
Charlotte, Highlands & Polk Counties should follow lawn irrigation restrictions set by the
Southwest Florida Water Management. SWFWMD's restrictions are online at:www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/drought/
Where are once-weekly watering restrictions in effect?
A:
Water utility customers in Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach, the City of Lake Worth are on once-weekly watering restrictions to help protect their coastal wells from saltwater intrusion. Water restrictions help to ensure that there is enough freshwater remaining in the system to prevent the inland flow of salt water.
ODD-numbered addresses can water lawns and landscapes on Mondays from either 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. OR from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
EVEN-numbered addresses can water lawns and landscapes on Thursdays from either 4 a.m. to 8 a.m. OR from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Water your vegetable garden on the same schedule that you use to water grass and other plants in your yard. Vegetable gardens are included in District lawn and landscape irrigation restrictions established for your area.
When can newly planted sod, trees or other landscaping be irrigated by water utility customers in the service areas of Dania Beach, Hallandale Beach and Lake Worth?
A:
For properties less than 5 acres:
New landscaping that has been in place for less than 30 days can be irrigated from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and/or Sundays.
New landscaping that has been in place for 31 days to 60 days can be irrigated from 2 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
For properties 5 acres or more:
New landscaping that has been in place for less than 30 days can be irrigated from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and/or Sundays.
New landscaping that has been in place for 31 to 60 days can be irrigated from 12 a.m. to 8 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Related Questions
Q:
How often should I irrigate my lawn?
A:
Proper irrigation is based on the amount of water each lawn needs. Lawns and landscapes typically need to receive only 3/4 to 1 inch of water each week. This usually means a maximum of TWO HOURS of irrigation PER WEEK, or a maximum of 15 minutes per irrigation zone for each water application. The lawn may not need to be watered at all if it has rained during the week.
Q:
Can I hand-water my lawn?
A:
Yes. You can hand water stressed plants for 10 minutes per day using a single hose with an attached automatic shut off or trigger nozzle.
Q:
What other low-volume watering methods are allowed?
A:
Drip, bubble and micro-jet systems, and watering cans that apply water directly to root plant zones may be used any time. Water collected in cisterns and rain barrels may also be used for irrigation any time. Low-volume irrigation should not produce water runoff.
Private & Community Wells, Lakes & Ponds
Q:
I water my lawn from a well, canal, pond or surface lake. Do these restrictions apply to me?
A:
Yes. Surface and groundwater sources are connected. Water in lakes and canals helps to protect private and public wells from saltwater intrusion, and helps store rainfall to recharge wells and aquifers.
Q:
Can I water the lawn after applying fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide or pesticide?
A:
Watering-in after application of fertilizer, herbicide, fungicide or pesticide is allowed during your watering days and times -- unless a professional licensed applicator has posted a temporary sign containing the date of application and the date(s) of needed watering-in activity.
Washing Cars & Boats
Q:
When can I wash my car or boat?
A:
Anytime. Vehicle washing is not restricted, but but voluntary conservation is encouraged. When washing a car, park it over a non-paved or porous surface to limit water runoff, and always attach an automatic shut-off or trigger nozzle to your hose. Limit boat rinsing to 15 minutes after it has been in salt water.
Q:
My organization is scheduling a fund-raising car wash. Do we need to apply for a variance?
A:
No. There are no restrictions on vehicle washing. Always attach automatic shut-off nozzles to hoses and, if possible, channel runoff water to a grassy area or porous surface.
Pressure Washing
Q:
When can I use a pressure washer?
A:
Anytime. Pressure washing is not restricted. Use low-volume equipment that produces water pressure of 1,000 pounds per square inch to 4,000 pounds per square inch. Channel runoff water onto the grass or another non-paved surface.
Requesting a Change or Variance
Q:
Is there a way I can get permission to change my watering day or times?
A:
Yes. You may apply for a variance from water restrictions. The variance form is online at: Variance Application, and the instructions are on-line at Variance Instructions. Your application will be reviewed by South Florida Water Management District staff, and approval or denial is based on the criteria listed in the Water Shortage Plan Rule.
For more information, visit www.sfwmd.gov or call (800) 432-2045.
Q:
What happens if I don't follow these restrictions?
A:
Residential and commercial water restrictions are mandatory and will be enforced by South Florida Water Management staff, local governments and law enforcement agencies. Residential fines vary by municipality, but typically range from $25 to $125 for a first offense. Civil penalties for violations of restrictions by District permittees and commercial users begin at $1,500 and can increase depending on the severity of the violation.
Reporting Violations
Q:
How can I report violations of water restrictions?
A:
You may report violations to local law enforcement or city/county zoning and code enforcement agencies. Both have the authority to issue warnings and citations that can lead to fines.
See the List of County and City Enforcement Contacts. If you choose to notify your local law enforcement agency, please call their non-emergency number.
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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS about Water Restrictions 
