Blaine, MN Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Blaine, MN, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Watering schedule
- odd addresses odd days, even addresses even days
- Banned watering hours
- 10 a.m.-6 p.m., May 15-Sep 15
- New sod/seed exception
- 30 days from installation
- Late fee
- 10 percent after 30 days unpaid
- Delinquent fee escalation
- certified to county after 90 days
- Exempt
- properties on private wells
Summary
In the City of Blaine, Section 86-219 limits lawn and garden sprinkling to odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days and even addresses on even days, and bans all watering between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. from May 15 through September 15, with violations billed directly to the property owner.
(a)The use of the municipal water system for lawn sprinkling shall be regulated as provided in this section. Lawn and garden sprinkling and the use of irrigation systems will be permitted for properties having odd-numbered addresses only on odd-numbered days and for properties having even-numbered addresses only on even-numbered days.(b)From May 15 through September 15, lawn and garden sprinkling will be prohibited between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. daily. ... (d)Lawn sprinkler violation fees will be billed to the property owner on a 30-day billing schedule, and payment must be made to the city finance department within 30 days of the billing date. Fees not paid to the city within 30 days of the billing date will be considered delinquent, and subject to a ten percent late payment fee.
Full Breakdown
Section 86-219 governs everyday lawn watering in Blaine, not just emergencies. It assigns sprinkling days by address parity: odd-numbered addresses may water only on odd-numbered calendar days, even-numbered addresses only on even-numbered days, on a system that runs year-round. Layered on top of that, from May 15 through September 15 the city bans all lawn and garden sprinkling between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., regardless of which day it otherwise falls on. Section 86-219(c) carves out several exceptions: private wells aren't covered at all; city-owned athletic fields and turf can be watered more often to prevent damage; residents can still hand-water plants, flowers and gardens with a hose; and newly installed sod, seed or landscaping gets a 30-day grace period to establish.
The city manager or a utilities division employee can also tighten the schedule further, by hours or days, if needed to protect the water supply. Enforcement is financial rather than criminal: section 86-219(d) has the city bill a lawn sprinkler violation fee directly to the property owner on a 30-day cycle, add a ten percent late charge if it isn't paid within 30 days, and certify the debt to the county for collection with property taxes if it remains unpaid after 90 days.
Violations & Fines
Sprinkling on the wrong day or during the prohibited 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. window between May 15 and September 15 gets billed as a lawn sprinkler violation fee directly to the property owner on a 30-day cycle under Section 86-219(d); unpaid fees become delinquent after 30 days, add a ten percent late charge, and can be certified to the county for collection with property taxes if still unpaid after 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
What days can I water my lawn in Blaine?
Is there a time of day I can't water my lawn in Blaine?
What happens if I get cited for a lawn sprinkler violation in Blaine?
Does the odd-even watering rule apply if I have a private well?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Blaine
How Blaine compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Blaine to another location·View the Minnesota landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.