Annapolis, MD Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Annapolis, MD, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Trigger
- Mayor's declared water emergency only
- Normal emergency
- Even/odd address-number watering days
- Extreme emergency
- All landscape watering banned
- First offense
- Police warning, not a fine
- Legal basis
- Annapolis City Code Ch. 16.12
Summary
Once the Mayor declares a water emergency, lawn and garden watering in Annapolis is limited to even/odd days matching your street's address number, and an extreme emergency bans it outright.
...the use and withdrawal of water from the City water system for the following purposes is prohibited during the period of the emergency: A. The sprinkling, watering or irrigation of shrubbery, trees, grass, ground covers, plants, flowers or any other vegetation; except, that on even-numbered days ... these uses may be made upon properties bearing an even-numbered street designation, and upon odd-numbered days ... these uses may be made upon properties bearing odd-numbered street designations;
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 2025 Update 2).
Full Breakdown
Annapolis has no standing watering-day schedule: restrictions only take effect once the Director of Public Works advises the Mayor of a shortage and the Mayor formally declares a water emergency under Chapter 16.12. Once triggered, sprinkling, watering or irrigating shrubbery, trees, grass, ground covers, plants or flowers is banned except that even-street-numbered properties may water on even-numbered calendar days and odd-numbered properties on odd-numbered days. Car washing, sidewalk/driveway washing, exterior building washing, ornamental fountains, and pool filling (beyond maintaining filtered recirculating levels) are also barred during the emergency. If the Mayor further declares an 'extreme emergency,' all outdoor irrigation of any kind is prohibited with no even/odd exception.
Violations & Fines
First violation draws a police warning; the Police Department logs it, and a further violation can bring the penalty set in Chapter 1.20 of the general penalty provisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn any day I want in Annapolis?
How do I know which days I can water during an emergency?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Annapolis
How Annapolis compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Annapolis to another location·View the Maryland landscaping rules overview
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