Water Restrictions
Landscaping Rules
Watering schedules, drought restrictions, and limits on outdoor irrigation including which days and times you can water your lawn.
How Water Restrictions Rules Differ by Place
Fillmore, CA: Fillmore Water Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsFillmore's water supply comes from local groundwater in the Santa Clara River watershed. The city enforces water conservation measures including irrigation day/time restrictions during…
Long Beach, CA: Long Beach Water Conservation Landscaping Requirements
Heavy RestrictionsLong Beach follows the MWELO (Smartscape) ordinance for new landscaping. Projects 500-2,500 sq ft have streamlined permits; over 2,500 sq ft require a landscape professional…
Oceanside, CA: Oceanside Water Conservation Restrictions
Heavy RestrictionsOceanside enforces water conservation measures through Oceanside Water Utilities. Landscape irrigation is subject to seasonal watering schedules. Standard restrictions prohibit…
Birmingham, AL: No Permanent City Watering Ban; BWW Issues Drought Stages
Few RestrictionsBirmingham has no permanent municipal lawn-watering ordinance. Outdoor watering limits are set by the Birmingham Water Works Board through voluntary drought-stage advisories tied to…
Bay County, FL: Bay County Water Restrictions & Lawn Watering
Few RestrictionsBay County lies in the Northwest Florida Water Management District, the only Florida district with no mandatory two-day-per-week watering schedule. Watering is largely unrestricted…
Okaloosa County, FL: Okaloosa County Florida-Friendly Landscaping Rights
Few RestrictionsFlorida law bars any Okaloosa County ordinance, deed restriction or homeowners' association covenant from prohibiting a property owner from installing Florida-friendly…
Water Restrictions Rules by State
Statewide law governs this topic in many states. Each entry links to that state's full page.
Alabama
Some RestrictionsThe Alabama Water Resources Act (Ala. Code Title 9, Chapter 10B) gives the Office of Water Resources authority to declare drought stages and trigger conservation measures. Local water…
Arizona
Heavy RestrictionsArizona regulates groundwater use through Active Management Areas (AMAs) under the 1980 Groundwater Management Act, applying mandatory conservation requirements to municipal water…
California
Some RestrictionsCalifornia's State Water Resources Control Board issues statewide drought emergency regulations and waste prohibitions that apply to every household, overriding more lenient local…
Connecticut
Some RestrictionsConnecticut grants the Department of Public Health and Public Utilities Regulatory Authority statewide power to impose water use restrictions during drought emergencies. The Governor…
Delaware
Some RestrictionsDelaware's Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) may declare drought emergencies imposing mandatory water-use restrictions that apply uniformly across the…
Florida
Some RestrictionsFlorida Statutes Chapter 373 grants water management districts authority to impose mandatory landscape irrigation restrictions that apply uniformly across all counties and…
Georgia
Some RestrictionsGeorgia's Water Stewardship Act sets a uniform statewide outdoor watering schedule, allowing daily landscape irrigation between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. without local override.
Hawaii
Heavy RestrictionsHawaii's State Water Code establishes uniform water use regulation through the Commission on Water Resource Management. Designated water management areas trigger mandatory permits and…
Kansas
Some RestrictionsThe Kansas Water Appropriation Act (K.S.A. 82a-701 et seq.) gives the Chief Engineer of the Division of Water Resources authority over water use during droughts. The Governor may…
Kentucky
Some RestrictionsKentucky's Division of Water and Public Service Commission oversee drought response, authorizing public water systems to impose mandatory conservation restrictions during emergencies.
Massachusetts
Some RestrictionsThe Massachusetts Water Management Act and related MassDEP drought regulations authorize statewide outdoor watering limits during declared drought conditions, applying uniformly across…
New Jersey
Some RestrictionsThe NJ Department of Environmental Protection may impose statewide or regional water use restrictions during drought warnings or emergencies under the Water Supply Management Act.
Pennsylvania
Some RestrictionsPennsylvania Emergency Management Services Code authorizes the Governor to impose mandatory statewide drought water-use restrictions that override local rules during declared…
South Carolina
Some RestrictionsSouth Carolina's Drought Response Act establishes a statewide framework for declaring drought stages and implementing mandatory water-use restrictions through DNR and local water…
Virginia
Heavy RestrictionsThe State Water Control Board administers statewide drought response and surface water withdrawal permits, with localities authorized to impose additional conservation rules during…
Washington
Some RestrictionsWashington Department of Ecology administers water rights and may issue drought emergency orders that override local outdoor watering practices statewide.
Wyoming
Some RestrictionsWyoming's Constitution declares all natural waters property of the state, and Title 41 vests administration in the State Engineer under prior appropriation. Outdoor watering rights…
Cities & Counties with Water Restrictions Rules
441 locations
Alabama
Arizona
California
Pennsylvania
Other Landscaping Rules Topics
Tree Trimming
Rules about trimming trees that overhang sidewalks, streets, or neighboring properties, and when you need permission to prune city trees.
Tree Removal & Heritage Trees
Permit requirements for removing trees on private property, protected and significant tree thresholds, replacement planting standards, and the penalties for unpermitted removal.
Weed Ordinances
Requirements to keep weeds and grass below a set height, the numeric limits (commonly 8 to 12 inches), abatement notices, and the liens cities can place after mowing it themselves.
Rainwater Harvesting
Whether you can collect rainwater, how much you can store, and any permits or tank size restrictions for residential rain barrels and cisterns.
Native Plants
Incentives or requirements for using native and drought-tolerant plants in your landscaping, and rules about replacing traditional lawns.
Artificial Turf
Rules about installing synthetic grass, including whether it counts toward water-saving rebates and any HOA or city restrictions.
Composting
Rules for backyard composting bins and piles plus curbside organics, bin requirements, allowed materials, setbacks, pest control, and any mandated diversion programs.