Jackson, NJ Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Under Section 437-35 of the Jackson Township Code, the Mayor, after consulting with the Director of Emergency Management and the governing water supply officials, proclaims in writing when a water emergency exists, defined in Section 437-34 as any natural or unnatural shortage or imminent shortage that endangers residents' health, safety or fire protection because of inadequate water supply or pressure. Once a water emergency is declared, Section 437-36 lets the Mayor order the cessation of nonessential water use from the municipal or public system, while still allowing water for cooking, necessary sanitary purposes and fire or other emergencies.

The Mayor can specifically halt the sprinkling, watering or irrigation of shrubbery, trees, lawns, grass, gardens, vegetables, flowers and other vegetation, along with car and equipment washing, sidewalk and driveway washing, washing building exteriors and interiors, industrial equipment cleaning, ornamental fountains, and the use of swimming and wading pools. As an alternative to an outright ban, the Mayor may instead adopt conservation regulations that limit nonessential water use to specific hours and days on a published schedule. All emergency orders and regulations must be posted on the Township's official bulletin board and published weekly in an official newspaper for as long as the water emergency continues, under Section 437-38, and the Mayor is empowered to enforce them directly under Section 437-37.