Does Hernando County, FL have its own water restrictions ordinance?

No. Hernando County, FL does not appear to have a local water restrictions ordinance, Florida state law applies instead. The rules summarized on this page come from Florida Statutes.

Key Facts Ordinance Text Full Breakdown Violations FAQ Sources More in Hernando County

Hernando County, FL Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Heavy Restrictions

Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Water restrictions in Hernando 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

District: SWFWMD (Swiftmud)
Schedule: One day per week
Assigned by: Address
Rain sensor: Required, Fla. Stat. 373.62

Summary

Hernando County sits in the Southwest Florida Water Management District (Swiftmud) and enforces a strict one-day-per-week irrigation schedule year-round, assigned by address. Florida Statute 373.62 requires a working rain sensor on every automatic sprinkler.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Hernando County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Any person who purchases and installs an automatic landscape irrigation system must properly install, maintain, and operate technology that inhibits or interrupts operation of the system during periods of sufficient moisture.

Source: Florida StatutesView official code

Full Breakdown

Hernando County draws from the Floridan aquifer that feeds Weeki Wachee Springs, so irrigation is tightly limited. Under SWFWMD authority and the county's year-round watering ordinance (Chapter 28), unincorporated Hernando allows landscape watering just one day per week, assigned by address and barred during the heat of the day, for all sources including private wells and surface water. Florida Statute 373.62 separately requires every automatic sprinkler system to have working technology that shuts it off during sufficient moisture. During declared water shortages, currently a Modified Phase III order, the District and county tighten the schedule further.

Violations & Fines

Watering outside your assigned day or hours violates the county ordinance and SWFWMD rule, drawing a warning then escalating fines. Running an automatic system without a working rain sensor violates Florida Statute 373.62.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often can I water my lawn in Hernando County?

Unincorporated Hernando County limits landscape irrigation to one day per week year-round, assigned by your address and prohibited during midday. Drought orders can restrict it further.

Do I need a rain sensor?

Yes. Florida Statute 373.62 requires every automatic landscape irrigation system to have working technology that shuts it off during periods of sufficient moisture.

Sources & Official References

[1]Florida Statutes

Other rules in Hernando County

Fence Regulations: Height LimitsSome Restrictions Native PlantsFew Restrictions Artificial TurfSome Restrictions Tree TrimmingFew Restrictions Weed OrdinancesSome Restrictions Tree Removal & Heritage TreesFew Restrictions Parking Rules: Abandoned VehiclesSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Material RestrictionsSome Restrictions Fence Regulations: Neighbor Fence RulesFew Restrictions Fence Regulations: Fence Permit RequirementsSome Restrictions Animal Ordinances: Exotic PetsHeavy Restrictions

All Hernando County rules

How Hernando County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Florida rules heatmap·Compare Hernando County to another location·View the Florida landscaping rules overview

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