Bozeman, MT Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Bozeman Municipal Code § 40.02.1290.B sets permanent outdoor watering restrictions for all property using water from the city's water utility. Spray irrigation of landscapes follows an assigned three-days-per-week schedule. Properties with even numbered physical addresses water on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. Properties with odd numbered physical addresses water on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Public parks, private open spaces and street right-of-ways water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

A time-of-day ban applies on top of the day schedule. Spray irrigation is prohibited seven days a week between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. Under subsection B.3 the allowable watering day is a calendar day, and the first watering window runs from 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. while the second begins at 8:00 p.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m. Water waste is banned outright: outdoor water use that results in water escaping or running to waste, excessive use, or escape through breaks, leaks or malfunctions is prohibited.

Subsection C lists exemptions. Trees, drought tolerant ornamental perennials, shrubs, flowers and food gardens are exempt only when watered with a hose equipped with a positive shut-off nozzle or device, a hand-held bucket or similar container, a slow release watering bag, or an irrigation system that exclusively uses low-volume drip irrigation. New turf from sod or seed can be watered for up to 45 days for the sole purpose of establishment. Irrigation system installation, repair and adjustment is exempt while the system is attended throughout operation. Subsection D lets the city manager grant exemptions for special circumstances, such as new irrigation technology and turf subject to heavy public use, and requires the manager to keep a list of approved exemptions.

The city manager can also restrict or wholly prohibit outdoor water use whenever the situation demands, effective at midnight after notice is posted on the city's website. Under § 40.02.1300 a drought declaration can add restrictions, including a ban on hosing down driveways, sidewalks and vehicles except by bucket, shut-off hose or commercial car wash, and can trigger drought surcharge rates. The division applies to all persons using water both in and outside the city, and the person contracting for service at a location is strictly liable for all water use there.