Corpus Christi, TX Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Corpus Christi, TX, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Stage 1 sprinkler limit
- Once per week, assigned day
- No-sprinkler hours
- 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Hand-held/drip watering
- Allowed any day, any stage
- Stage 2 limit
- Once every other week
- Stage 3 turf irrigation
- Prohibited outright
- Max fine
- $500.00 per violation per day
- Enforcing agency
- Corpus Christi Water
Summary
Corpus Christi ties lawn watering to the reservoir system's drought stage under Sec. 55-153. At Stage 1, sprinkler or automatic irrigation is capped at once per week on a city-assigned watering day, and never between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Hand-held hoses, small buckets and drip lines are exempt.
Under threat of penalty for violation, the following water use restrictions shall apply to all persons during Stage 1: a. Irrigation of landscaped areas with hose-end sprinklers or automatic irrigation systems shall be limited to once per week. The watering schedule will be determined by the city manager or designee. Customers will be made aware of their designated watering day in accordance with the drought contingency plan. However, irrigation of landscaped areas is permitted on any day if it is by means of a hand-held hose (with positive shutoff nozzle), a faucet filled bucket or watering can of five (5) gallons or less, or drip irrigation system with a positive shutoff device. ... b. No watering or irrigating of landscape areas by hose-end sprinkler or automatic irrigation system will be allowed between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to prevent evaporation loss.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 44).
Full Breakdown
The city's Water Conservation Plan and Drought Contingency Plan, codified at Sec. 1, set graduated watering limits keyed to the combined reservoir levels. Once Stage 1 (mild shortage) is declared, Sec. 55-153(c)(3)(a) limits irrigation with hose-end sprinklers or automatic systems to once per week, on a day assigned by the city manager or designee and posted to customers under the drought contingency plan. Watering by hand-held hose with a positive shutoff nozzle, a five-gallon or smaller bucket or watering can, or a drip system with a positive shutoff device is allowed any day regardless of stage.
Sec. to cut evaporation loss, on top of the once-a-week cap. 00 per 1,000 gallons. A Level 1 or Level 2 water emergency prohibits irrigation of all landscaped areas absolutely. Exceptions for new plantings (up to 60 days), vegetable gardens, athletic fields and botanical gardens require approval from the chief operating officer of Corpus Christi Water or a designee, and customers irrigating from a private well, aerobic septic system or other auxiliary supply must still register that source with Corpus Christi Water and post the exemption near the property's street number.
Violations & Fines
Sec. 55-156 makes any violation of the water conservation article a Class C misdemeanor and a strict-liability offense, punishable by a fine of up to $500.00 per violation per day, with each day and each separate provision counted as a separate offense. The billed customer of record is presumed to be the violator and bears the burden of showing otherwise. A second violation at the same household or premises authorizes the superintendent to disconnect water service, and failure to respond to a citation likewise triggers a service disconnection. Violation cases get preferential, expedited setting in municipal court ahead of other dockets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn every day in Corpus Christi?
What hours are sprinklers banned in Corpus Christi?
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Do drip irrigation systems have to follow the watering-day schedule?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Corpus Christi
How Corpus Christi compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Texas rules heatmap·Compare Corpus Christi to another location·View the Texas landscaping rules overview
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