Broward County, FL Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Broward 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
- Daily ban
- Watering banned 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily
- Even addresses
- Thursday and/or Sunday only
- Odd addresses
- Wednesday and/or Saturday only
- Coverage
- Applies incorporated and unincorporated Broward
- Repeat offense
- Third violation prosecuted as ordinance violation
Summary
Broward County bans lawn watering from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day and limits irrigation to two set days a week based on whether your address is even or odd-numbered, year-round under Code § 36-55.
Landscape irrigation shall be prohibited daily between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., except as provided herein.(2)Irrigation of existing landscaping shall comply with the following provisions:a.Even-numbered addresses, as defined in Section 36-51 of this article, and rights-of-way or other locations without an address, may accomplish necessary landscape irrigation only on Thursday and/or Sunday.b.Odd-numbered addresses, as defined in Section 36-51 of this article, may accomplish necessary landscape irrigation only on Wednesday and/or Saturday.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72 | Administrative Code: Supplement 28).
Full Breakdown
Broward County Code § 36-55 bans landscape irrigation daily between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. year-round and limits it to two days a week: even-numbered addresses (and rights-of-way without an address) may irrigate only Thursday and/or Sunday, odd-numbered addresses only Wednesday and/or Saturday. New landscaping planted 90 days or less gets a temporary extra-day allowance that steps down over time, and low-volume hand watering or attended system testing is exempt. The South Florida Water Management District can impose stricter limits during a declared water shortage, which then override this schedule. The rule binds both incorporated and unincorporated Broward, though a municipality may run its own variance process under Sec. 36-55(f).
Violations & Fines
First and second violations are civil infractions punishable under Chapter 8½'s Schedule of Civil Penalties (Sec. 8½-16); a third violation is prosecuted as a county ordinance violation under § 125.69(1), F.S., with each day a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I water my lawn any day I want in Broward County?
Does this watering schedule apply inside cities like Fort Lauderdale?
What if I just installed new sod or plants?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
How Broward County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview
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