Minneapolis, MN Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)

Minneapolis Water Works, which supplies the city and several suburbs from the Mississippi River, enforces outdoor watering rules under Code Chapter 509. Year-round, properties with even-numbered street addresses may water lawns only on even-numbered calendar days, odd-numbered addresses only on odd-numbered days. Watering is prohibited between 11:00 AM and 5:00 PM on any day to reduce evaporation, a rule kept in place since the 2007 conservation amendments. When the Minnesota DNR declares a drought warning (Stage 2) or drought emergency (Stage 3) for the Upper Mississippi basin, Minneapolis activates additional restrictions including banning automatic in-ground irrigation, limiting hand-held hose watering to early morning and evening only, and suspending decorative fountains that do not recirculate. New sod, new seed, and landscape establishment may receive a 14-day watering permit from Minneapolis Water Works. Car washing is generally allowed but encouraged to use commercial washes that recycle water during drought. Violations start at 50 dollars and rise to 500 dollars for third or continuing offenses.