Water Restrictions: Clearwater vs St. Petersburg
How do water restrictions rules compare between Clearwater, FL and St. Petersburg, FL?
Clearwater and St. Petersburg have similar restriction levels.
Clearwater, FL
Pinellas County
Clearwater operates under Modified Phase III Extreme Water Shortage restrictions that limit lawn irrigation to one day per week based on address, with citations issued immediately and fines up to $500 per violation through July 2026.
View full Clearwater rules →St. Petersburg, FL
Pinellas County
St. Petersburg follows the SWFWMD water shortage order with a once-a-week irrigation schedule for potable and well water users, with citations starting at $193 per violation.
View full St. Petersburg rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Clearwater | St. Petersburg |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| Schedule | - | Once per week |
| Even days | - | Tue/Sat |
| Odd days | - | Wed/Sun |
| First fine | - | $193 |
| Authority | - | SWFWMD + Ch. 27 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Clearwater FAQ
When can I water my lawn in Clearwater?
Under current Modified Phase III restrictions, even-numbered addresses water Saturday and odd-numbered addresses water Sunday during 12:01-4 AM or 8-11:59 PM only.
Is hand-watering allowed every day?
Yes. Hand-watering with a shutoff nozzle, drip irrigation, and micro-irrigation are exempt from day-of-week restrictions, though hour restrictions still apply for sprinklers.
St. Petersburg FAQ
Can I water my new sod in St. Petersburg during restrictions?
Yes. New plants and turf may be watered any day for the first 30 days, then three days per week through day 60, before reverting to the standard once-weekly schedule.
Do reclaimed water users follow the same schedule?
No. St. Petersburg reclaimed water customers follow a separate schedule managed by the City's Reclaimed Water program and are generally not subject to the SWFWMD potable schedule.
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