Minneapolis, MN Landscaping Rules: Water Restrictions (2026)
Water restrictions in Minneapolis, MN, also called the watering schedule, outdoor irrigation rules, or drought ordinance, set which days and hours you can run sprinklers or irrigation.
Key Facts
- Trigger
- City engineer declares water-supply emergency
- Who sets rules
- City engineer via declaration
- First violation
- Warning letter to bill payor
- Repeat violation
- Fine plus possible water shutoff
- Governing chapter
- Chapter 509, Article IX
Summary
Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 509.1400 lets the city engineer bar irrigation and other water draws from city mains during a declared water-shortage emergency, with the specific restrictions set by that declaration.
During any period of emergency caused by shortage of water supply or lowering of water pressure in the water mains of the city, no person shall draw or use water from the city water mains or the city water distribution system other than as permitted by the declaration of emergency.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 72).
Full Breakdown
Under Minneapolis Code of Ordinances § 509.1400, once the city engineer declares a water-supply shortage or pressure emergency, no one may draw or use water from the city's mains or distribution system except as the declaration permits. Section 509.1410 lets the city engineer set the daily hours of restriction, the method of restriction, and how customers are notified: the ordinance doesn't fix odd/even days or hours itself; those terms come from the emergency declaration. Lawn irrigation and outdoor watering fall under 'use water from the city water mains,' so a declared emergency can suspend or schedule sprinkling citywide.
Violations & Fines
First violation draws a warning letter to the bill payor; each later violation adds a penalty under the city's utility rate schedule to the water bill, and willful, excessive violators can have service shut off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Minneapolis have standing odd/even watering days?
What happens if I water my lawn during a declared emergency?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Minneapolis
How Minneapolis compares: Cities with the Strictest Water Restrictions·Compare Minneapolis to another location·View the Minnesota landscaping rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.