Brookhaven, GA Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Brookhaven, GA, 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 window
- Only between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m.
- New plantings
- Exempt during installation and 30 days immediately following
- Second violation
- $250.00 civil penalty by noncriminal citation
- Third violation
- $500.00 civil penalty by noncriminal citation
- Payment deadline
- On or before ten days following the date of citation
- Appeal
- In writing to the city manager within the ten-day period
Summary
In the City of Brookhaven, Georgia, Sec. 18-42 allows outdoor irrigation of ground cover, trees, shrubs and other plants only between 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m., with a list of exempt uses such as drip irrigation, hand watering and food gardens. Civil penalties run $250.00 for a second violation and $500.00 for a third, after a written warning.
(b)State mandated requirement.(1)Persons may irrigate outdoors daily for purposes of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. ... (e)Civil penalties and fines. With the exception of any violation of subsection (b) of this section, any person or entity accused of violating any provision of this section shall, with respect to the first violation, be provided with a written warning. Any person accused of violating any provision of this section for a second time shall be issued a noncriminal citation requiring the payment of a civil penalty to the city in the amount of $250.00. For a third violation of this section, a violator shall be issued a noncriminal citation requiring a payment of a civil penalty of $500.00 to the city. All penalties are due and payable on or before ten days following the date of the citation.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 18-42, Restrictions on outdoor water use, starts from a state-mandated watering window. Subsection (b)(1) says persons may irrigate outdoors daily for planting, growing, managing or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs or other plants only between the hours of 4:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. Subsection (b)(2) then lists uses the window does not limit, including commercial agricultural operations, capture and reuse of cooling system condensate or stormwater, reuse of gray water, use of reclaimed waste water, irrigation of personal food gardens, drip irrigation or soaker hoses, handwatering with a hose with automatic cutoff or handheld container, water from a private well or surface water on the owner's own property, irrigation of athletic fields, golf courses or public turf grass recreational areas, and hydroseeding. New and replanted plant, seed or turf is exempt during installation and for a period of 30 days immediately following the date of installation.
Subsection (c) adopts by reference the outdoor water use rules mandated by the state Environmental Protection Division from time to time, as modified by the county water system, and keeps a current copy in the office of the city clerk. Any violation of those restrictions in effect is a violation of the section.
Enforcement runs through Brookhaven police officers and code enforcement officers under subsection (d). They can issue noncriminal or criminal citations, enter property to inspect for compliance, and require immediate compliance when they make personal contact with the violator.
Under subsection (e), the first violation of a provision other than subsection (b) draws a written warning, the second a noncriminal citation with a $250.00 civil penalty, and the third a $500.00 civil penalty, all due on or before ten days following the date of the citation. Subsection (f) allows a written appeal to the city manager within the ten-day payment period, which stays the penalty. The city manager can reduce or waive the penalty if no violation occurred or a reasonable hardship exists. An unpaid, unappealed penalty leads to a criminal citation requiring appearance in municipal court.
Violations & Fines
Second violation: $250.00 civil penalty by noncriminal citation. Third violation: $500.00. A first violation of a provision other than the watering window gets a written warning, and the ladder carves out subsection (b) violations. Penalties are due within ten days of the citation. Failing to pay or appeal within ten days, or to pay within three days after a denied appeal, brings a criminal citation and a municipal court appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hours can I water my lawn in Brookhaven?
Can I water new sod or plants outside the window?
How much is the fine for watering violations?
How do I appeal a watering citation?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Brookhaven
How Brookhaven compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Brookhaven to another location·View the Georgia landscaping rules overview
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