Water restrictions in Montgomery County, MD — also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance — set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Montgomery County follows WSSC and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) water use restrictions. Mandatory odd-even watering applies during drought emergencies. WSSC serves most county residents and enforces conservation tiers. The Chesapeake Bay watershed location drives stricter stormwater and runoff controls.
Water restrictions in Montgomery County are administered by the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) and Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE). During normal conditions, voluntary conservation is encouraged with no mandatory watering schedules. During drought watch or drought warning declarations by MDE, mandatory odd-even watering takes effect: odd-numbered addresses water on odd-numbered days, even on even days, typically between 6 PM and 10 AM only. During drought emergency, outdoor watering is banned entirely. WSSC uses an increasing block-rate billing structure that penalizes high water usage. The Potomac River provides most of the county water supply through the Potomac Water Filtration Plant. Montgomery County Environment Article requires new developments to incorporate water-efficient landscaping and stormwater management. Rain sensors on irrigation systems are required for new installations under WSSC regulations. The county RainScapes program offers rebates up to $2,500 for converting turf to drought-tolerant landscaping.
Drought watch violation: written warning. Drought warning violation: $50 first offense, $250 repeat. Drought emergency watering ban violation: $500 per occurrence. WSSC excess-use surcharges apply to high-tier consumption.
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