Columbia County, FL Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Columbia County, FL, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Applies to
- lawn/landscape irrigation, car washing
- Source rules
- SRWMD, FAC ch. 40D-21B
- Exempt
- saltwater users
- 1st-2nd violation
- warnings only
- 3rd violation
- $25.00 fine
- 4th violation
- $50.00 fine
- 5th+ violation
- misdemeanor (F.S. §125.69)
Summary
Unincorporated Columbia County enforces the Suwannee River Water Management District's Year-Round Water Conservation Measures under Article V of Chapter 118. The rules cover lawn irrigation, landscape irrigation, and outdoor uses like car washing from any water source except saltwater, whenever the district or county declares a water shortage or water shortage emergency. Violations escalate from a verbal warning to fines of up to $50.00 and, eventually, a second-degree misdemeanor.
The provisions of this article shall apply to all persons using the water resource for lawn irrigation, landscape irrigation, and related outdoor water uses such as car washing within the geographical areas determined by the district, whether from public or privately owned water utility systems, private wells, or private connections with surface water bodies. This article shall not apply to persons using saltwater. ... Violation of any provision of this article shall be subject to the following penalties. First Violation Verbal Warning Second Violation Formal Warning Third Violation $25.00 Fourth Violation $50.00 Fifth and subsequent violations may be enforced as a second degree misdemeanor in accordance with F.S. § 125.69. Each day in violation of this article after notice of the violation shall constitute a separate offense.
Full Breakdown
Sec. 118-643 applies the article to everyone using the water resource for lawn irrigation, landscape irrigation, and related outdoor water uses such as car washing, whether the water comes from a public or private utility, a private well, or a private surface-water connection, within the geographic area the Suwannee River Water Management District determines; it exempts anyone using saltwater. Sec. 118-644 incorporates the district's Chapter 40D-21B, Florida Administrative Code irrigation rules directly into the Columbia County Code by reference, and Sec. 118-645 makes the district's lawn and landscape irrigation measures enforceable under the county ordinance even without a declared shortage.
Once the district's governing board, its executive director, or the Columbia County Board of County Commissioners declares a water shortage or water shortage emergency under Sec. 118-646, the district's specific restrictions for that declaration, such as watering days and hours, become enforceable county violations. Sec. 118-647 authorizes every police officer or sheriff with jurisdiction in the county to enforce the article, and the county administrator may also delegate enforcement to other county departments. Sec. 118-648 sets a graduated penalty schedule rather than an immediate fine for a first violation, and each day a violation continues after notice counts as a separate offense.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 118-648 penalizes a first violation with only a verbal warning and a second with a formal warning. A third violation carries a $25.00 fine and a fourth a $50.00 fine. A fifth or later violation may be prosecuted as a second-degree misdemeanor under F.S. § 125.69. Each day a violation continues after notice is a separate offense, and the county may also seek injunctive or other legal action beyond these penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
What outdoor water uses does the county restrict?
What are the specific watering days in unincorporated Columbia County?
What is the penalty for violating the watering restrictions?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Columbia County
How Columbia County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Columbia County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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