Brick, NJ Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Brick, NJ, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Governing chapter
- Code Ch. 486, Water Emergencies
- Trigger
- Declared water emergency only
- Full curtailment
- Absolute sprinkling/pool/car-wash ban
- Partial curtailment
- Specific days/hours per declaration
- Max penalty
- $2,000 fine or 90 days
Summary
Brick Township has no standing watering-day schedule; lawn sprinkling limits only kick in once the BTMUA or Township declares a water emergency under Chapter 486, which can ban sprinkling outright or restrict it to set days and hours.
"Full curtailment of nonessential water usage" shall mean an absolute prohibition of the use of water from private wells or from the BTMUA's system for sprinkling of lawns, filling of swimming pools, car washing and other nondomestic, nonsanitary use, except for fire-fighting purposes until the emergency shall be terminated by proclamation. Partial curtailment of nonessential water usage shall mean the prohibition of the use of water from private wells or from the BTMUA's system for those purposes and during those days of the week and for hours of the day specified in the declaration of emergency.
B. The declaration of a water emergency pursuant to § 486-3A shall specify the location by boundary line or street of any area included in a well use prohibition area. Any person owing or operating a well within the area designated by the Township Engineer as within a well use prohibition area shall cease all uses of any private wells until such emergency is terminated pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4577344; v53 updated 2025-12-09; through 12-09-2025).
Full Breakdown
Under Township Code § 486-3, the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority, the Township Council, or the Mayor may declare a water emergency when demand on the water system is excessive. Section 486-4 lets that declaration impose "full curtailment" (an absolute ban on sprinkling lawns, filling pools, and car washing) or "partial curtailment," which restricts those uses to specific days of the week and hours of the day named in the declaration. There is no default schedule in the code itself: the days and hours exist only inside an active emergency declaration, which must be published in two local newspapers under § 486-5.
Violations & Fines
Using water in a way barred by an active declaration violates § 486-8 and is enforced by inspection under § 486-7. Penalties run under the Chapter 1, § 1-15 general penalty: up to a $2,000 fine, 90 days in jail, or 90 days of community service, with each day of continued violation a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there odd/even watering days in Brick Township year-round?
Who declares a water emergency in Brick?
What happens if I sprinkle my lawn during a curtailment?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brick
How Brick compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Brick to another location·View the New Jersey landscaping rules overview
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Water Restrictions in Nearby Cities
How other cities in this county handle water restrictions.