Austin, TX Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Austin, TX, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Automatic irrigation
- One day per week
- Assigned day
- Odd Wed, even Thu
- Midday ban
- No watering 10am-7pm
- Drip/hose-end
- Two days per week
- Penalty
- Up to $1,000 per violation
Summary
Austin enforces a mandatory year-round watering schedule under City Code Chapter 6-4. Automatic irrigation systems run just one day per week, assigned by street address, and never between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Hose-end sprinklers and drip lines get two days.
Automatic and manual irrigation systems — 1 day per week, midnight to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight ... Hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation — 2 days per week, midnight to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight
Full Breakdown
Austin Water assigns every address a single automatic-irrigation day: Wednesday for odd-numbered addresses, Thursday for even. Systems may run only midnight to 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. to midnight, so the 10 a.m.-7 p.m. midday stretch is off-limits every day. Hose-end sprinklers and drip irrigation get two days per week (odd addresses add Saturday, even addresses add Sunday). This Conservation Stage schedule is permanent and year-round, not drought-triggered, and covers residential, commercial, multifamily, HOA, and golf-course customers alike. Look up your assigned day at austintexas.gov/water/find-your-watering-day.
Violations & Fines
Austin Water enforces the schedule; watering on the wrong day, during the 10 a.m.-7 p.m. window, or causing runoff draws penalties of up to $1,000 per violation. Report waste by calling 3-1-1.
Frequently Asked Questions
What day can I water my lawn in Austin?
Can I water during the day?
Does this only apply during droughts?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Austin
How Austin compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Austin to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Travis County handle water restrictions.