Howell, NJ Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Chapter 320 of the Howell Township Code, Water Use Restrictions, was adopted 10-21-2002 by Ord. No. O-02-44. The Township Council found that protracted periods of high temperatures and limited rainfall can place excessive demands on the water systems serving Howell Township, and that sprinkling of lawns, filling of swimming pools and car washing can seriously reduce supply and pressure. The restrictions apply only after a declaration. Under § 320-2 the Township Manager can declare a water emergency on the recommendation or direction of the State of New Jersey, the County of Monmouth, the federal government or any local water company serving the Township.

Section 320-3 requires the declaration to specify one of two levels. Full curtailment is an absolute prohibition on using water from the water companies or private wells for sprinkling lawns, filling swimming pools, car washing and other nondomestic, nonsanitary use, except for fire-fighting, until the Township Manager ends the emergency. Partial curtailment prohibits the same uses only on the days of the week or hours of the day the declaration specifies. Private wells are covered at both levels.

The Township Clerk must publish the declaration in at least two newspapers circulated in the Township and give a copy to at least one radio station (§ 320-4). It stays in effect until the Township Manager terminates it (§ 320-5). During an emergency, Township police or other authorized enforcement personnel can inspect premises between sunrise and sunset, and hindering an inspection is itself a violation (§ 320-6). A continuing prohibited use is declared a health hazard under § 320-8: after written notice is delivered or posted, Township agents can enter and abate the hazard if one hour passes without compliance, and the cost is assessed against the owner, operator or occupant.