Howard County, MD Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Howard County, MD, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Permanent watering ban
- None
- Trigger
- State-declared drought
- Level One rule
- Watering grass prohibited
- Authority
- Maryland Dept. of the Environment
- County water utility
- Bureau of Utilities
Summary
Howard County has no year-round odd/even watering ban. Water use is limited only when the state declares a drought. Under Maryland's Level One Mandatory Restrictions, watering grass is prohibited and outdoor water use is sharply curtailed; between droughts the county asks residents to conserve voluntarily.
Watering of grass is prohibited... Washing paved surfaces such as streets, roads, sidewalks, driveways, garages, parking areas, tennis courts, and patios is prohibited.
Full Breakdown
Howard County's Bureau of Utilities supplies public water to more than 85% of residents and follows Maryland Department of the Environment drought declarations rather than a permanent watering calendar. When a drought emergency is declared, MDE's Level One Mandatory Water Use Restrictions prohibit watering lawns, ban sprinklers on gardens and landscaping (hand-held containers with shutoff nozzles are allowed), and stop washing paved surfaces and non-commercial vehicles. During the milder drought watches and warnings issued in 2025-2026, the Baltimore-region counties, including Howard, urged voluntary cuts in non-essential outdoor water use. Newly seeded areas and permitted athletic fields get limited exceptions.
Violations & Fines
During a declared drought emergency the mandatory MDE restrictions are enforceable; voluntary-stage requests carry no fine but the county asks users to cut consumption by about 10%.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn in Howard County?
Are current restrictions mandatory?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Howard County
How Howard County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Howard County to another location·View the Maryland landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.