Water restrictions in Honolulu, HI — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Honolulu's Board of Water Supply (BWS) may declare mandatory water-conservation stages restricting outdoor irrigation timing and volume. The Land Use Ordinance also requires permanent irrigation systems for required landscaping on development sites.
The Honolulu Board of Water Supply Rules and Regulations (Chapter II, Conservation Measures) authorize the BWS to implement tiered conservation stages, from voluntary public appeals to mandatory restrictions limiting days, times, and volumes of landscape irrigation. During drought or supply emergencies, outdoor lawn and garden watering may be restricted to early-morning or evening hours and limited watering days. ROH § 21-4.70 (Land Use Ordinance) requires all required plant material and landscaping on development sites to be served by a permanent irrigation system. Large landscaped areas (golf courses, parks, schools) must use nonpotable water when available. Violations are enforced by BWS and DPP.
Violations of BWS mandatory water restrictions are a misdemeanor under ROH Chapter 1, § 1-3.1; fines escalate and each day of continuation is a separate offense. Service termination is also possible.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Honolulu County.
See how other cities in Honolulu County handle water restrictions.
See how Honolulu's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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