Water restrictions in Houston, TX — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Houston enforces water conservation through a tiered Drought Contingency Plan under Chapter 47, Article VII. Stage 1 limits outdoor watering to twice weekly between 7 PM and 8 AM. Stage 2 assigns specific days by address. Drip irrigation is typically exempt.
Chapter 47, Article VII of the Code of Ordinances (Water Shortages) outlines regulations for managing water shortages during droughts or emergencies, establishing drought stages, restrictions, and enforcement measures. Stage 1 (voluntary) limits outdoor watering to twice a week between 7 PM and 8 AM. Stage 2 (mandatory) restricts lawn sprinklers and outside watering to specific days: Sundays and Thursdays for even-numbered addresses, Saturdays and Wednesdays for odd-numbered addresses, and Tuesdays and Fridays for other customers, all between 7 PM and 8 AM. Updated 2025 rules extended the allowed watering window by three hours (previously ending at 5 AM, now at 8 AM). Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are typically exempt from time-of-day restrictions. Texas state law now prevents HOAs from fining residents for letting lawns go dormant during declared drought stages.
Water restriction violations: warning for first offense, then escalating fines. Mandatory drought restrictions carry penalties enforced by Houston Public Works.
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Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Harris County.
See how other cities in Harris County handle water restrictions.
See how Houston's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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