Marion County, OR Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Marion County, OR, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- County schedule
- None set by the county
- Salem authority
- SRC 72.250 curtailment power
- Trigger
- Supply shortage or emergency
- Water source
- North Santiam River / Detroit Lake
- Set by
- City water utility, not county
Summary
Marion County itself sets no residential watering schedule. In Salem, the Public Works Director may curtail water use whenever a supply shortage or emergency threatens delivery, and Salem has activated drought-stage outdoor-watering limits in recent years.
When the Director determines that a water supply shortage exists or is imminent or any other emergency exists or is imminent which threatens the ability of the City to deliver essential water to its customers, the Director may curtail the use of water.
Full Breakdown
There is no county-wide day-of-week watering restriction in Marion County; outdoor watering is governed by your city water utility. In the City of Salem, SRC 72.250 gives the Public Works Director authority to curtail water use whenever a water-supply shortage or emergency threatens the City's ability to deliver essential water, and to adopt a curtailment plan with specific stage rules. Salem's water comes from the North Santiam River and Detroit Lake; low flows and turbidity have driven emergency declarations and mandatory nonessential outdoor-use restrictions in recent seasons. Keizer and Woodburn operate their own systems. Check your provider's current drought stage before irrigating.
Violations & Fines
No county fine for watering. In Salem, violating an active curtailment stage adopted under SRC 72.250 can bring utility penalties or service action; each city sets its own enforcement for drought-stage watering limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there odd/even watering days in Marion County?
When can Salem restrict my watering?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Marion County
How Marion County compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Marion County to another location·View the Oregon landscaping rules overview
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