Lakeville, MN Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Section 7-5-12-2 imposes annual water use restrictions to conserve Lakeville's water resources and give the city's water system flexibility to meet peak demand. From May 1 to September 30 each year, an odd/even sprinkling restriction applies based on street address: residents with odd-numbered addresses may water only on odd-numbered calendar days, and residents with even-numbered addresses may water only on even-numbered calendar days. Homeowners' associations and apartment complexes served by a common irrigation system may water only every other day, and the ordinance splits them geographically along 185th Street: associations and apartments north of 185th Street water on odd days and those south of it water on even days.

Regardless of the odd/even schedule, city water cannot be used to irrigate or water lawns, sod, or seeded areas between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any day. Section 7-5-12-3 carves out exceptions: hand watering of gardens and plants with a hose is unrestricted, newly installed sod or seed may be watered freely for 30 days after installation, and water drawn from a source other than the city supply is exempt if the alternative source is registered with Dakota County and permitted by the state, subject to city inspection.

Section 7-5-12-4 backs the schedule with a financial penalty rather than a criminal charge: violators get an initial notice first, and any repeat violation in the same calendar year results in a surcharge added directly to the water bill for the property where the violation occurred.