Water restrictions in Okaloosa County, FL — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
The Northwest Florida Water Management District governs the panhandle and is the only Florida district with no mandatory two-day-per-week watering schedule. Watering is discouraged from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. State law protects your right to install Florida-Friendly Landscaping.
Okaloosa County lies within the Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD), which manages panhandle water resources. Unlike Florida's four other districts, NWFWMD has not adopted a district-wide year-round rule limiting irrigation to two days per week; watering days are generally unrestricted, with conservation guidance to avoid the 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. window when evaporation is highest. Florida Statute 373.62 requires a working rain sensor or soil-moisture shutoff on automatic irrigation systems. Section 373.185 guarantees a homeowner's right to Florida-Friendly Landscaping, so an HOA cannot force a thirsty turf lawn. Local utilities may impose stricter limits during declared shortages.
There is no routine day-of-week watering citation in the district. During a declared water shortage, utilities can impose and enforce restrictions with fines. Missing rain sensors violate state irrigation law.
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See how Okaloosa County's water restrictions rules stack up against other locations.
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